Australian Railroad Crossing Signals

[ToledoRailfan]

Huh, I didn't know Sir Lanka used Dutch signals and this type of signal, kind of odd.

[chris96]

Notice how the signals at the crossing are bagged, they also have different e-bells that look like speakers https://www.google.com/maps/@7.2913798, ... 6656?hl=en

I believe those are EBA Bells, but with the original speaker replaced. The housing looks the same in this image:
https://www.google.com/maps/@7.2913189, ... 6656?hl=en

New Zealand also used Westinghouse gate mechs as seen in this video (skip to 1:01):


Here it is on google maps:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.553 ... 312!8i6656

Also, here are some images I took of the new setup at Shanley St Wangaratta. Silly me obviously wasn't paying too much attention at the time because I just realized the gate mechs are actually invensys and not WCH after all! These are quite a rarity outside of Melbourne:
DSC09351 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
DSC09352 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
DSC09355 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
DSC09356 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
DSC09358 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
DSC09362 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr
DSC09363 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr

[TrickyMario7654]

Also, here are some images I took of the new setup at Shanley St Wangaratta. Silly me obviously wasn't paying too much attention at the time because I just realized the gate mechs are actually invensys and not WCH after all! These are quite a rarity outside of Melbourne:

Doesn't even look like a busy road at all! Why would they upgrade it then, and when did it happen?

But hey, it's still not as bad as this crossing being upgraded...

[TrickyMario7654]

I don't know if any of you are aware of this, but there's a line that runs between Eucha and Toolamba. The line was out of service for several years but was reactivated in 2014. GSV shows a handful of the crossings still have mechanical bells. The problem is that all of these images are from 2010 or earlier.

Here's a rundown on what's to show.

• Toolamba Road (C369), Toolamba (Safetran Mechanical bell): https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.479 ... 328!8i1664
• Casey Street, Tatura (McK&H Teardrop): https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.441 ... 312!8i6656
• Hogan Street, Tatura (McK&H Teardrop): https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.440 ... 312!8i6656
• Park Street, Tatura (McK&H Teardrop): https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.437 ... 312!8i6656
• Ross Street (C357), Tatura (Westinghouse Hybrid): https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.435 ... 312!8i6656
• Allan Street (C351), Kyabram (McK&H Teardrop): https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.313 ... 312!8i6656
• Albion Street (C351), Kyabram (McK&H Teardrop): https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.311 ... 312!8i6656
• Edis Street (C351), Kyabram (WABCO bell!!! ): https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.308 ... 312!8i6656
• Henderson Rd (C352), Tongala (McK&H Teardrop): https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.250 ... 312!8i6656
• McKenzie Road (C351), Eucha (Westinghouse Hybrid): https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.148 ... 312!8i6656

One more thing I found on the line. This crossing located in a '+' intersection!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.372 ... 328!8i1664

[McK&H.Aust]

Notice how the signals at the crossing are bagged, they also have different e-bells that look like speakers https://www.google.com/maps/@7.2913798, ... 6656?hl=en

I believe those are EBA Bells, but with the original speaker replaced. The housing looks the same in this image:
https://www.google.com/maps/@7.2913189, ... 6656?hl=en

New Zealand also used Westinghouse gate mechs as seen in this video (skip to 1:01):


Here it is on google maps:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.553 ... 312!8i6656

Also, here are some images I took of the new setup at Shanley St Wangaratta. Silly me obviously wasn't paying too much attention at the time because I just realized the gate mechs are actually invensys and not WCH after all! These are quite a rarity outside of Melbourne

Nice to see those Westinghouse gate mechs in New Zealand, they certainly seem to have used a wide variety of equipment over there.

Thanks for the pictures of Shanley St, going by the equipment used it was probably installed around 2011/2012. Those Invensys gate mechs are rare in NSW too, they were only made for a few years before Siemens bought them out. I'm guessing that those Westinghouse lights are no longer being made since Siemens took over, as I haven't seen any new ones installed in NSW for a few years now. Interesting how that crossing is not very old and already it has rare equipment!

Victoria is not the only state to have seemingly "over the top" crossing upgrades done on quiet roads. This crossing near Moss Vale NSW is on a dead end dirt road and only provides access for a few properties (albeit wealthy looking ones). Back in 2009 it was upgraded with gates, it has Safetran gate mechs and Safetran Type 3 e-bells. As you can see from the GSV image visibility seems good in either direction so it's a wonder why they upgraded it, maybe someone influential owns one of the properties!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.550 ... 328!8i1664

[TrickyMario7654]

Victoria is not the only state to have seemingly "over the top" crossing upgrades done on quiet roads. This crossing near Moss Vale NSW is on a dead end dirt road and only provides access for a few properties (albeit wealthy looking ones). Back in 2009 it was upgraded with gates, it has Safetran gate mechs and Safetran Type 3 e-bells. As you can see from the GSV image visibility seems good in either direction so it's a wonder why they upgraded it, maybe someone influential owns one of the properties!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.550 ... 328!8i1664

I've seen private crossings in Victoria with gates as well! (Though it's probably due to the fact that V/Line trains run up to 160km/h on some sections of track).

Anyways, we were driving up Springvale Road on the way to Greensborough today, when I noticed that near Nunawading station and the former Springvale Road level crossing, there was this 'Stop On Red Signal' sign from a level crossing mounted onto a traffic light cantilever. Here it is in Streetview...
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.822 ... 312!8i6656

Seems odd that they would use that rather than the standard "Stop Here On Red Signal" signs like this one.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.819 ... 312!8i6656

So, I figured that they may have reused the cantilevers from the crossing when they grade separated it in 2009/10. The traffic signals in question didn't exist in 2009 or January 2010 (shortly after the crossing had been removed).
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.821 ... jxiXQqJzDA
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.821 ... udPvqwjaKw

If you look at the crossing in GSV during November 2009, you can see the cantilevers on both sides have the same white background 'SORS' signs.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.820 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.820 ... 312!8i6656

Now, those signals seen above were actually temporary signals installed during the works. These here are the original ones before the project. (Apparently, they were installed in 1956!)
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.820 ... 328!8i1664
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.820 ... 328!8i1664

They have some nice equipment, such as WRRS gate mechs, McK&H lights, and a RACO and Westinghouse Hybrid bell.

Here's a little bonus for all of you. Some old incandescent traffic lights at this intersection on Springvale Road in Glen Waverley (They're still there! I presume they're Eagle traffic signals or something.)
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.877 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.876 ... 312!8i6656

One last thing. On the way back, we passed through the once 'infamous' level crossing at the intersection of Boronia & Dorset Road's. (My dad remembers how much of pain it was before they axed it.)
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.862 ... 312!8i6656

[chris96]

I'm guessing that those Westinghouse lights are no longer being made since Siemens took over, as I haven't seen any new ones installed in NSW for a few years now. Interesting how that crossing is not very old and already it has rare equipment!

For some reason, they keep appearing on new installations here in Victoria all the time! I believe they are still being manufactured and sold by Siemens but they haven't changed the mold yet!

Also, it's just occurred to me how incredibly similar McKenzie & Holland and WRRS gate mechs are. In fact, when comparing the two I can't spot a single difference between them! The crossing below (Cherry St, Werribee) has WRRS mechs:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.898 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.898 ... 312!8i6656

While this crossing (Champion Rd, Williamstown North) has McK&H mechs (I have seen them in person). Tell me if you can spot any differences between the two!:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.849 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.849 ... 312!8i6656

[Username1]

Are there any WCH E-bells in Victoria? There's a few of their mechanical bells around but no E-bells. I've noticed that they use them quite a bit in NSW, a few crossings have them in S.A and almost every crossing has them in Tasmania. Strange. I'm starting to get sick of Safetran type 3s and General Signals types 2s.

[TrickyMario7654]

This Puffing Billy Crossing on Edenmont Rd in Emerald has the only Harmon lights I've seen in Victoria:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.928 ... 328!8i1664
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.928 ... 312!8i6656

Make that two, as I've found at least four at Riversdale Road today. I didn't even notice it until I was looking at the pictures I took at home. The strange thing is they're mounted onto a Westinghouse bracket.

Also, it's just occurred to me how incredibly similar McKenzie & Holland and WRRS gate mechs are. In fact, when comparing the two I can't spot a single difference between them! The crossing below (Cherry St, Werribee) has WRRS mechs:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.898 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.898 ... 312!8i6656

While this crossing (Champion Rd, Williamstown North) has McK&H mechs (I have seen them in person). Tell me if you can spot any differences between the two!:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.849 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.849 ... 312!8i6656

Not to mention, the one I found at Murrumbeena that was branded as "Westinghouse McKenzie Holland". Same thing!

[chris96]

Are there any WCH E-bells in Victoria? There's a few of their mechanical bells around but no E-bells. I've noticed that they use them quite a bit in NSW, a few crossings have them in S.A and almost every crossing has them in Tasmania. Strange. I'm starting to get sick of Safetran type 3s and General Signals types 2s.

I don't think so, which is a shame because they are by far the most interesting E-Bells around (as they have their own distinct sound and feature speed/tone adjustment controls).