Mike's Railroad Crossing Forum

chris96 wrote: Sun Jun 14, 2020 4:15 am

Level Crossing Fan wrote: Sat Jun 13, 2020 6:50 pm Metro did trial them at Evans Road, Lyndhurst, but now the signals are gone to make way for the new road bridge.

Ok, thanks for that. I wonder how the trial went? Perhaps they're still happy with wishbone gates if Seaholme just received a new pair. Speaking of which, I managed to get some additional photos of the crossing today:
IMG_4466 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4467 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4468 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4469 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4470 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4471 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
The line is currently closed for maintenance with buses replacing trains, so it's possible the gate replacements were a part of these works. It's likely a train hasn't even passed through them yet. I'm not sure if you can tell from the photos, but the Artcraft gate lights are so clean and shiny, they look brand new. I didn't think these lights were still being made, but I could be wrong (unless they were refurbished or are spare new old stock items).

Yeah I think Metro prefer wishbone gates and I think they'd still make the Artcraft lights too.

I just came across these neat close-up images of the Commercial Rd Railway Crossing in Adelaide that used US-Style SORS signs. Credit goes to Ryan Smith on Flickr:
Commercial Rd Railway Crossing by Ryan Smith, on Flickr

Commercial Rd Railway Crossing by Ryan Smith, on Flickr

Commercial Rd Railway Crossing by Ryan Smith, on Flickr

Commercial Rd Railway Crossing by Ryan Smith, on Flickr

Commercial Rd Railway Crossing by Ryan Smith, on Flickr

Here's the crossing on street view:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.750 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.750 ... 312!8i6656

Unfortunately, the signs were replaced sometime between 2018 and 2019 (along with the crossbucks) :
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.750 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.750 ... 384!8i8192

I also discovered another crossing in the Adelaide metro area with GS E-Bells, Port Road in Albert Park. This setup actually uses 4 bells!:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.877 ... 384!8i8192
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.876 ... 384!8i8192
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.876 ... 384!8i8192
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.876 ... 384!8i8192

BTW, can anyone fugue out what bell is on the signal in the background of this photo? It looks like it might be a Safetran or Griswold but it's difficult to make out. This was taken at a former road safety school in Adelaide that closed in 2011:
Road Safety School, Adelaide by baytram366, on Flickr

chris96 wrote: Tue Jun 23, 2020 6:28 am I just came across these neat close-up images of the Commercial Rd Railway Crossing in Adelaide that used US-Style SORS signs. Credit goes to Ryan Smith on Flickr:
Commercial Rd Railway Crossing by Ryan Smith, on Flickr

Commercial Rd Railway Crossing by Ryan Smith, on Flickr

Commercial Rd Railway Crossing by Ryan Smith, on Flickr

Commercial Rd Railway Crossing by Ryan Smith, on Flickr

Commercial Rd Railway Crossing by Ryan Smith, on Flickr

Here's the crossing on street view:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.750 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.750 ... 312!8i6656

Unfortunately, the signs were replaced sometime between 2018 and 2019 (along with the crossbucks) :
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.750 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.750 ... 384!8i8192

I also discovered another crossing in the Adelaide metro area with GS E-Bells, Port Road in Albert Park. This setup actually uses 4 bells!:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.877 ... 384!8i8192
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.876 ... 384!8i8192
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.876 ... 384!8i8192
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.876 ... 384!8i8192

BTW, can anyone fugue out what bell is on the signal in the background of this photo? It looks like it might be a Safetran or Griswold but it's difficult to make out. This was taken at a former road safety school in Adelaide that closed in 2011:
Road Safety School, Adelaide by baytram366, on Flickr

Doing some digging myself found a picture of the signal with the bell, but the design looks somewhat different!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/baytram36 ... 098070770/

(Pasting a URL as I really do not have the energy to try and get around to it being embedded)

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NathanFromEngland wrote: Wed Jun 24, 2020 7:31 pm

chris96 wrote: Tue Jun 23, 2020 6:28 am
BTW, can anyone fugue out what bell is on the signal in the background of this photo? It looks like it might be a Safetran or Griswold but it's difficult to make out. This was taken at a former road safety school in Adelaide that closed in 2011:
Road Safety School, Adelaide by baytram366, on Flickr

Doing some digging myself found a picture of the signal with the bell, but the design looks somewhat different!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/baytram36 ... 098070770/

(Pasting a URL as I really do not have the energy to try and get around to it being embedded)

Great find there! I've never seen a bell like that before. I wonder what on earth it is? Perhaps it was a custom bell for this particular miniature signal?

Also, thanks for the updates Applehead! It's interesting to see the new style of Westinghouse Lights appear on the Metro network. I wonder if they're the first ones?

BTW, I just got back from a short road trip to Swan Hill and have quite a few things I'd like to share from my travels (be prepared for a lot of photos)!

First the bad news, the Hybrid Bell at Marraboor St has once again been replaced with another Safetran Type 3. This crossing previously had a Type 3 in 2015, but was replaced shortly after with a recycled Hybrid:
IMG_4581 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4621 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4622 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4500 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4496 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
I thought I had pictures of this crossing from 2015 when the previous Type 3 was installed, however I am still yet to find them. If I do, I'll post them here.

I also managed to get some shots of the upgraded setup at McCallum St:
IMG_4488 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4492 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4493 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4490 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4491 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4494 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4495 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr

And because V/line clearly hadn't trashed Swan Hill enough already, both the classic semaphore signal and old McK&H searchlight are now history too :
IMG_4485 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4487 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr

In other news, the Kelsall St crossing in Warracknabeal has unfortunately lost its WCH M-Bell and now has a.....you guessed it, Safetran Type 3. However, the old passive crossing sign with a vintage hollow diamond remains. Strangely, this crossing has a V/Line fault sticker despite the fact that this line is only open to freight traffic :
IMG_4474 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4475 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr

Here's the crossing when it had a WCH M-Bell:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.246 ... 312!8i6656

The nearby Henty HWY crossing has also been upgraded with a Type 3. Everything else remains unchanged though:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.252 ... 312!8i6656

Though not crossing related, I managed to snap a pic of this defect detector setup at Gama. ARTC defect detectors are quite rare and I was surprised to find one sitting out here:
IMG_4476 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr

Here's something I wasn't expecting, a homemade Wig Wag signal in the front yard of a farm property!:
IMG_4583 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4584 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr

The same house also had a homemade recreation of a standard FL signal!
IMG_4587 V2 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
Since these signals are on private property, I won't reveal the exact location for privacy reasons. However, they are in the Loddon Valley area.

And now, here's something I REALLY wasn't expecting! The abandoned Lyndhurst St crossing in Bridgewater has had its Westinghouse Teardrop replaced with a Hybrid Bell!
IMG_4589 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4590 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4591 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4594 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4596 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4593 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4592 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr

As you can see, the line is clearly still abandoned and hasn't seen a train since 2011. Why this bell was replaced, I have no idea. Truly bizzare!

Here's the crossing with its original Teardrop:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.601 ... 312!8i6656

To finish things off, I passed through Castlemaine on my way home and an pleased to report that Maclise St is completely unchanged and still has its Teardrop!:
IMG_4604 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4597 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4598 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4599 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4601 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr

Moscript St also still has its Teardrop, however the lights have now been removed:
IMG_4627 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4613 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4609 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4610 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4623 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4606 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4619 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4625 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4607 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4626 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4624 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr

Anyway, that's it from me for now. I hope you all enjoyed my little update!

Thanks for the updates Chris, very sad the hybrid bell is now gone at Swan Hill even though it was working fine, I’m so glad I got to film it when I did last year in April. Very weird and sad about the Westinghouse teardrop bell being replaced at Bridgewater for no reason, I wonder though if Puffing Billy were given this bell to use on one of their crossings, but damn I really want to get down there to check the crossing out. Sad that Moscript Street is in a very depressing condition now, but that’s just what happens to disused crossings within a few years. Would like to check that out as well as McClure Street during these holidays.

Speaking of McClure Street according to this video of TheRailRanger VTMG it shows that the relay box for the crossing there has unfortunately been all locked up again. My guess is this to stop vandals from damaging the wiring and stuff which is what happened when I checked the crossing out on the March long weekend this year before we were all put into lockdown. Here is the video showing the evidence that the relay box is now locked, you can see this at 0:45:


Anyway that’s all I have to report

Level Crossing Fan wrote: Mon Jun 29, 2020 5:57 am Speaking of McClure Street according to this video of TheRailRanger VTMG it shows that the relay box for the crossing there has unfortunately been all locked up again. My guess is this to stop vandals from damaging the wiring and stuff which is what happened when I checked the crossing out on the March long weekend this year before we were all put into lockdown. Here is the video showing the evidence that the relay box is now locked, you can see this at 0:45:


Anyway that’s all I have to report

I'd say that was the reason for the relay box to be locked up. I wonder if V/Line and ARTC are using McClure Street as a "parts crossing" of sorts. Apparently, certain abandoned setups that had previously been left intact long after decommissioning were sometimes used as an emergency source of equipment for the region. It does seem strange that this crossing has remained in such a pristine, untouched state compared to all the other crossings on the line. This could be an explanation as to why.

BTW, I have some interesting news to share. According to a signalling technician from Metro who I was lucky enough to speak to today, the old un-adjusted GS Type 1 E-Bells at Macaulay Rd in Kensington were originally installed as a trial all the way back in mid 2002 and were the first ones in the country! A few other crossings such as Park St in Moonee Ponds and Munro St, Coburg (yes, apparently it originally had un-adjusted Type 1's too) were added later in 2002 (I imagine the Safetran Type 1's at Gaffney st in Pascoe Vale were introduced around this time too). After these trials proved successful, the bells slowly started being rolled out across the network in 2003. Originally, E-Bells were only intended to be used at crossings in residential areas as a "quiet alternative". It wasn't until Westinghouse officially discontinued support for the Hybrid bell (which he believes happened around 2008) that E-Bells were deemed to become the new standard across the network. I was told that a lack of spare parts is the main reason why Hybrid bells are being retired so quickly around Victoria and that by 2023, all of Metro's M-Bells will (unfortunately) most likely be replaced He said most signal maintainers really liked the Hybrid bells, but the higher ups at Metro decided that there were enough benefits to using E-Bells to warrant them as the equipment of choice going forward and that "updating" crossings would end up being more cost-effective in the long run. This is also the reason why some older gate mechs are starting to be replaced too.

One other thing, the maintainer told me that the signalling department absolutely despised Barker Technics bells back in the day as they were a real pain to deal with due to their complexity as well as reliability issues. He said he would love to get rid of them, but since they're set up more like a PA system with specialized wiring and components, they're too difficult to remove! A complete re-wiring of the crossing (including the control cabinet itself) would be needed to even attempt to install regular bells at locations with BT setups. That's why they never really took off in areas outside of Melbourne. Still, at least that means they should be pretty safe from replacement in the near future.

Damn sad that the hybrid bells are endangered across Melbourne Metro either of crossing removals or being replaced with ebells. Guess this means it will soon be an end of an era to the hybrid bells at Glenferrie Road, Kooyong/Toorak which is my favourite Melbourne Metro crossing. I will absolutely go off my head at Metro if they replace the hybrid bells there. The Barker Technics ebells were very handy on crossings in residential areas on the Upfield line so that was just pointless to replace them and same with the gate mechs when they were working perfectly fine, they should’ve replaced the incandescent lights with LED’s instead as that would’ve improved a lot of safety, why does Metro not think of this? A bunch of the lights at Keon Parade are very dim or have died all together and same for the lights at Warrigal Road. Metro really need to turn their attention to those crossings and replace the lights with LED’s. Why have Metro always pissed us rail fans off for so many years by replacing hybrid bells that work perfectly fine and are not in residential areas. Once again the lights should be getting replaced with LED’s instead to improve safety. Replacing the Westinghouse gate mechs at crossings like Poplar Road, Boundary Road, Hillcrest Road, Beavers Road, Woolton Avenue and Normanby Avenue was also very pointless as there wasn’t anything wrong with the gate mechs at those crossings.

Anyway changing the subject now, yesterday I heard on Facebook that the Caribbean Markets at Scoresby is unfortunately not going to reopen when coronavirus cases lower, so it’s the end to the miniature railway and active level crossings there.

R.I.P Caribbean Market 1970-2020

Anyway that’s all I have to report

Level Crossing Fan wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 7:20 pm Damn sad that the hybrid bells are endangered across Melbourne Metro either of crossing removals or being replaced with ebells. Guess this means it will soon be an end of an era to the hybrid bells at Glenferrie Road, Kooyong/Toorak which is my favourite Melbourne Metro crossing. I will absolutely go off my head at Metro if they replace the hybrid bells there. The Barker Technics ebells were very handy on crossings in residential areas on the Upfield line so that was just pointless to replace them and same with the gate mechs when they were working perfectly fine, they should’ve replaced the incandescent lights with LED’s instead as that would’ve improved a lot of safety, why does Metro not think of this? A bunch of the lights at Keon Parade are very dim or have died all together and same for the lights at Warrigal Road. Metro really need to turn their attention to those crossings and replace the lights with LED’s. Why have Metro always pissed us rail fans off for so many years by replacing hybrid bells that work perfectly fine and are not in residential areas. Once again the lights should be getting replaced with LED’s instead to improve safety. Replacing the Westinghouse gate mechs at crossings like Poplar Road, Boundary Road, Hillcrest Road, Beavers Road, Woolton Avenue and Normanby Avenue was also very pointless as there wasn’t anything wrong with the gate mechs at those crossings.

Anyway changing the subject now, yesterday I heard on Facebook that the Caribbean Markets at Scoresby is unfortunately not going to reopen when coronavirus cases lower, so it’s the end to the miniature railway and active level crossings there.

R.I.P Caribbean Market 1970-2020

Anyway that’s all I have to report

What sad news. I can't believe the Caribbean Markets are closing . I really thought the Safetran and WABCO bells would be safe there for years to come, what a shame. You should make an inquiry with the management through email to see if you can get some of the bells or other equipment if possible, since it would be so sad to see them scrapped. You'd probably have more of a chance with a place like that over Metro or the LXRA.

Speaking of bells, the Geelong Vintage Market currently has a Hybrid for sale. It looks in good condition and even has a power adapter attached like my bells do. However, what's not so good is the price....$495! Talk about a rip off, you could buy a brand new bell for that! Too bad since it looks really nice:
IMG_4643 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4644 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr

Also, the station street crossing in Norlane, Geelong has had one of its Type 3's replaced with a brand new unit:
IMG_4646 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4647 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr

That's all I have for now.

chris96 wrote: Thu Jul 02, 2020 2:17 am

Level Crossing Fan wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2020 7:20 pm Damn sad that the hybrid bells are endangered across Melbourne Metro either of crossing removals or being replaced with ebells. Guess this means it will soon be an end of an era to the hybrid bells at Glenferrie Road, Kooyong/Toorak which is my favourite Melbourne Metro crossing. I will absolutely go off my head at Metro if they replace the hybrid bells there. The Barker Technics ebells were very handy on crossings in residential areas on the Upfield line so that was just pointless to replace them and same with the gate mechs when they were working perfectly fine, they should’ve replaced the incandescent lights with LED’s instead as that would’ve improved a lot of safety, why does Metro not think of this? A bunch of the lights at Keon Parade are very dim or have died all together and same for the lights at Warrigal Road. Metro really need to turn their attention to those crossings and replace the lights with LED’s. Why have Metro always pissed us rail fans off for so many years by replacing hybrid bells that work perfectly fine and are not in residential areas. Once again the lights should be getting replaced with LED’s instead to improve safety. Replacing the Westinghouse gate mechs at crossings like Poplar Road, Boundary Road, Hillcrest Road, Beavers Road, Woolton Avenue and Normanby Avenue was also very pointless as there wasn’t anything wrong with the gate mechs at those crossings.

Anyway changing the subject now, yesterday I heard on Facebook that the Caribbean Markets at Scoresby is unfortunately not going to reopen when coronavirus cases lower, so it’s the end to the miniature railway and active level crossings there.

R.I.P Caribbean Market 1970-2020

Anyway that’s all I have to report

What sad news. I can't believe the Caribbean Markets are closing . I really thought the Safetran and WABCO bells would be safe there for years to come, what a shame. You should make an inquiry with the management through email to see if you can get some of the bells or other equipment if possible, since it would be so sad to see them scrapped. You'd probably have more of a chance with a place like that over Metro or the LXRA.

Speaking of bells, the Geelong Vintage Market currently has a Hybrid for sale. It looks in good condition and even has a power adapter attached like my bells do. However, what's not so good is the price....$495! Talk about a rip off, you could buy a brand new bell for that! Too bad since it looks really nice:
IMG_4643 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4644 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr

Also, the station street crossing in Norlane, Geelong has had one of its Type 3's replaced with a brand new unit:
IMG_4646 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
IMG_4647 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr

That's all I have for now.

Wow nice find, shame that’s it’s very expensive though