Re: Australian Railroad Crossing Signals
Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2020 7:54 am
Haven’t posted here in a while, but I thought I’d share some of my finds from a recent trip to Queensland.
First off, there appears to be a “Pearson’s xing signal” manufactured by Mck&h preserved in non operational condition at the Ipswich railway museum. That, some signage (including 1 piece crossbucks could be wooden), and a pair of manual gates are the only crossing signal infrastructure at the museum.
I managed to visit 4 crossings while in Queensland, and found some nice stuff including different SORS signs, candy cane painted poles, Westinghouse EB gate Mechs, WRRS Gate Mechs, Mck&h Gate Mechs, and some nice cantilevers.
There appears to rumours floating around that the VGR is going to be pulling up the line from Castlemaine to Guildford on the Moolort line, as they are in need of rail. If so, this spells the end of the classic Mck&h setup at Moscript Street. Guildford - Maryborough will be kept as it is for now. Moscript street appears to be very dilapidated anyways, but I wonder if what’s left can be saved by a crossing enthusiast, or reused on the VGR itself?
The lights will definitely not be reused, if they do end up being kept by VGR, they will most likely be sold like the older Maclise Street lights. I think VGR could put the teardrop to use, possibly on Rowe street to replace that nasty Safetran type 3. Hopefully more confirmation on this will come soon.
After a trip along the Burra line in SA, I can confirm that all crossings have had their lights and bells removed. According to GSV, Redbanks Road, Lange Road, and Farrell Flat Road were the last ones with lights, and the first 2 were the last ones with bells. Redbanks Road has had lights and bell removed, but retains some signage. Lange Road has been stripped bare, with only signal poles and signage mounts remaining. Farrell flat road has had the same treatment too, except the last signal with lights has been completely removed.
I am unsure if this has been reported earlier, but the Portland line appears to be reopening soon. Unfortunately as part of this process, there appears to be crossing upgrades going on. I believe Applehead and LCF have more info on this.
LCF has also given photographic evidence to me and others that the Hamilton Hwy, Cressy crossing has had its hybrids replaced, but it keeps its EB Gate Mechs.
That’s all from me for now.
First off, there appears to be a “Pearson’s xing signal” manufactured by Mck&h preserved in non operational condition at the Ipswich railway museum. That, some signage (including 1 piece crossbucks could be wooden), and a pair of manual gates are the only crossing signal infrastructure at the museum.
I managed to visit 4 crossings while in Queensland, and found some nice stuff including different SORS signs, candy cane painted poles, Westinghouse EB gate Mechs, WRRS Gate Mechs, Mck&h Gate Mechs, and some nice cantilevers.
There appears to rumours floating around that the VGR is going to be pulling up the line from Castlemaine to Guildford on the Moolort line, as they are in need of rail. If so, this spells the end of the classic Mck&h setup at Moscript Street. Guildford - Maryborough will be kept as it is for now. Moscript street appears to be very dilapidated anyways, but I wonder if what’s left can be saved by a crossing enthusiast, or reused on the VGR itself?
The lights will definitely not be reused, if they do end up being kept by VGR, they will most likely be sold like the older Maclise Street lights. I think VGR could put the teardrop to use, possibly on Rowe street to replace that nasty Safetran type 3. Hopefully more confirmation on this will come soon.
After a trip along the Burra line in SA, I can confirm that all crossings have had their lights and bells removed. According to GSV, Redbanks Road, Lange Road, and Farrell Flat Road were the last ones with lights, and the first 2 were the last ones with bells. Redbanks Road has had lights and bell removed, but retains some signage. Lange Road has been stripped bare, with only signal poles and signage mounts remaining. Farrell flat road has had the same treatment too, except the last signal with lights has been completely removed.
I am unsure if this has been reported earlier, but the Portland line appears to be reopening soon. Unfortunately as part of this process, there appears to be crossing upgrades going on. I believe Applehead and LCF have more info on this.
LCF has also given photographic evidence to me and others that the Hamilton Hwy, Cressy crossing has had its hybrids replaced, but it keeps its EB Gate Mechs.
That’s all from me for now.
Here's what it looks like now: 
I saw a train at the crossing and the bell didn't sound for the entire activation, not even when the gates were lowering. But it doesn't stop there. The WCH mech one the opposite side clearly had an issue with the hold clear mechanism and kept pulsing violently. I'm starting to wonder if anybody at VicTrack actually knows what their doing. It's just comical that such a pointless and ridiculous "upgrade" could be approved and then screwed up to the point that what they had originally was better! 
