Mike's Railroad Crossing Forum

Found this old picture of the Sisily Avenue crossing in Wangaratta. Turns out, it used to have this illuminated '2 Tracks' sign. I wonder how it worked?

Great pictures! It's interesting how some lights and gate mechs have survived all these years.

TrickyMario7654 wrote: Devon Rd, Oak Park in 1965:



Devon Rd, Oak Park in 2014:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.721 ... 312!8i6656

They still have the original lights and gate mechs:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.721 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.721 ... 312!8i6656

It also had a Griswold bell on one side:
op by Christian Nolan, on Flickr

The light housings at Greville St, Prahran are technically still original, it's just that they've been retrofitted with LED's:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.849 ... 312!8i6656

chris96 wrote:The light housings at Greville St, Prahran are technically still original, it's just that they've been retrofitted with LED's:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.849 ... 312!8i6656

I was aware of that. I've found some more pictures from the 60's too!

Cramer St, Preston in 1967:



Cramer St, Preston in 2016:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.740 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.740 ... 312!8i6656

The original lights and gate mechs are still there:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.740 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.740 ... 312!8i6656

Regent St, Reservoir in 1967:



Regent St, Reservoir in 2014 (The original lights are intact):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.730 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.730 ... 312!8i6656

Bay St, Brighton in 1967:



Bay St, Brighton in 2015. (Lights are still original!):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.905 ... 312!8i6656

Church St, Brighton in 1967:



Church St, Brighton in 2015:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.915 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.915 ... 312!8i6656

This signal looks newer than the other one.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.915 ... 312!8i6656

Hampton St, Hampton in 1967:



Hampton St, Hampton in 2015 (Sadly, the hybrid bells have been replaced. Though the original gate mechs still survive!):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.938 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.938 ... 312!8i6656

Glen Eira Road, Ripponlea in 1967:



Glen Eira Road, Ripponlea in 2015. (Sadly, the Safetran and the hybrid bell have been replaced. The WRRS gate mechs are still original, though.):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.876 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.876 ... 312!8i6656

Abbott St, Sandringham in 1967:



Abbott St, Sandringham in 2013 (The Teardrop has since been replaced, sadly. Lights are original.):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.948 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.948 ... 312!8i6656

Ferguson St, Willamstown in 1967:



Ferguson St, Willamstown in 2014 (The only original thing at the crossing are the lights):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.857 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.857 ... 312!8i6656

Westgarth St, Northcote in 1968:



Westgarth St, Northcote in 2016 (Original lights!):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.781 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.781 ... 312!8i6656

North Rd, Ormond in 1968:



North Rd, Ormond in 2015 (Sadly, none of the original equipment survives. But it's still better than the following year...):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.903 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.903 ... 312!8i6656

North Rd, Ormond in 2016 (They must of just updated it, as it wasn't available earlier today. But anyways, this is why I hate Daniel Andrews. ):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.903 ... 312!8i6656

Grange Rd, Carnegie in 1967 (This would of been taken when they were brand new!):



Grange Rd, Carnegie in 2015 (The lights are still original. But unfortunately, the original gate mechs and a Teardrop bell was replaced between 2013-2015):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.881 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.881 ... 312!8i6656

Koornang Rd, Carnegie in 1967 (More signals that smell brand new!):



Koornang Rd, Carnegie in 2016 (The original gate mechs and lights have survived for nearly 50 years!):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.885 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.886 ... 312!8i6656

...Sadly, they don't have much longer to live.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.885 ... 312!8i6656

To add further insult to injury, here's what they've done to the local station :
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.885 ... 312!8i6656

Maddingley Rd, Bacchus Marsh in 1967:



Maddingley Rd, Bacchus Marsh in 2014 (The masts are the only original thing at the crossing):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.686 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.687 ... 312!8i6656

You know how they usually have those large "Railway Crossing" signs on the side of most crossings? Well, here's this odd one that recently appeared at Macaulay Road, Kensington on the Upfield line.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.795 ... 312!8i6656

Here's another example of an E-Bell, being replaced with another E-Bell! This occurrence happened at Gaffney Street, Coburg North.
2014: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.733 ... 312!8i6656
2016: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.733 ... 312!8i6656

Same thing happened at Box Forest Road, Hadfield.
2014: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.704 ... 312!8i6656
2016: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.704 ... 312!8i6656

Not really crossing related, but someone stuck 'The Greens' logo over the Victorian State Government's logo on this LXRA propaganda signage.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.716 ... 312!8i6656

McK&H.Aust wrote:Racecourse Rd, Chiltern (Hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.160 ... 312!8i6656
Gravel Pit Rd, Wangaratta South (Hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.383 ... 312!8i6656
Cemetery Rd, Benalla (Hybrid x2) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.557 ... 312!8i6656 https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.557 ... 312!8i6656
Palmerston St, Baddaginnie (Teardrop) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.588 ... 312!8i6656
Rutherglen - Springhurst Rd, Springhurst (Hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.179 ... 328!8i1664

Sadly, these M-Bells will soon be history as I've found out that the Victorian state government are upgrading these crossings with gates.

https://corporate.vline.com.au/News-Ale ... g-upgrades

TrickyMario7654 wrote: Bay St, Brighton in 1967:



Bay St, Brighton in 2015. (Lights are still original!):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.905 ... 312!8i6656

Street view caught this crossing in action in 2009 (when it still had a teardrop and Safetran bell as well as the original gate mechs):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.905 ... 312!8i6656

TrickyMario7654 wrote:

McK&H.Aust wrote:Racecourse Rd, Chiltern (Hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.160 ... 312!8i6656
Gravel Pit Rd, Wangaratta South (Hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.383 ... 312!8i6656
Cemetery Rd, Benalla (Hybrid x2) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.557 ... 312!8i6656 https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.557 ... 312!8i6656
Palmerston St, Baddaginnie (Teardrop) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.588 ... 312!8i6656
Rutherglen - Springhurst Rd, Springhurst (Hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.179 ... 328!8i1664

Sadly, these M-Bells will soon be history as I've found out that the Victorian state government are upgrading these crossings with gates.

https://corporate.vline.com.au/News-Ale ... g-upgrades

Awww man, that sucks. That was one of the few areas in Victoria where you could still see M-Bells and other vintage equipment in action. Now it's going to be just like everything else.

What was great about classic vintage setups was the fact that such a wide range of equipment was used and rarely were two setups ever the same. In Victoria alone, we imported and used pretty much all of the major American manufacturers at some point. There are (or were) known installations of Griswold, RACO, Safetran, Invensys Rail, WRRS, WCH, WABCO, Harmon, Federal Signals, Magnetic Signal Co, American Signal inc and General Signals equipment in this state. In addition, we also had our own local brands such as McKenzie & Holland, Westinghouse, GEC Australia, Alstom, United Group (UGL), Henkes & Harmon (Australian Division), Magnetic Autocontrol, Barker Technics and Siemens (Australian Division). Some other parts of the country even used Union Switch & Signal equipment.

Now that these "level crossing upgrades" are taking place, all of this fine equipment is being thrown out and forgotten. Out of all of these manufacturers, only products from Siemens, WCH, General Signals, United Group and Magnetic Autocontrol are installed today and there are less and less working examples of the previously mentioned classic signal companies each year.

For example, I don't think there are any Griswold or RACO bells left in Victoria and only a handfull of Safetran M-Bells survive. There are no WABCO bells still functioning on an active commercial railway and all McKenzie & Holland equipment (particularly the teardrop bells) is fading away fast. Today, it's just the same stuff being used over and over again and every setup is almost exactly the same! It's a real shame.

chris96 wrote:

TrickyMario7654 wrote:

McK&H.Aust wrote:Racecourse Rd, Chiltern (Hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.160 ... 312!8i6656
Gravel Pit Rd, Wangaratta South (Hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.383 ... 312!8i6656
Cemetery Rd, Benalla (Hybrid x2) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.557 ... 312!8i6656 https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.557 ... 312!8i6656
Palmerston St, Baddaginnie (Teardrop) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.588 ... 312!8i6656
Rutherglen - Springhurst Rd, Springhurst (Hybrid) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.179 ... 328!8i1664

Sadly, these M-Bells will soon be history as I've found out that the Victorian state government are upgrading these crossings with gates.

https://corporate.vline.com.au/News-Ale ... g-upgrades

Awww man, that sucks. That was one of the few areas in Victoria where you could still see M-Bells and other vintage equipment in action. Now it's going to be just like everything else. What was great about classic vintage setups was the fact that such a wide range of equipment was used and rarely were two setups ever the same. In Victoria alone, we imported and used pretty much all of the major American manufacturers at some point. There are (or were) known installations of Griswold, RACO, Safetran, Invensys Rail, WRRS, WCH, WABCO, Harmon, Federal Signals, Magnetic Signal Co, American Signal inc and General Signals equipment in this state. In addition, we also had our own local brands such as McKenzie & Holland, Westinghouse, GEC Australia, Alstom, United Group (UGL), Henkes & Harmon (Australian Division), Magnetic Autocontrol, Barker Technics and Siemens (Australian Division). Some other parts of the country even used Union Switch & Signal equipment. Now that these "level crossing upgrades" are taking place, all of this fine equipment is being thrown out and forgotten. Out of all of these manufacturers, only products from Siemens, WCH, General Signals, United Group and Magnetic Autocontrol are installed today and there are less and less working examples of the previously mentioned classic signal companies each year. For example, I don't think there are any Griswold or RACO bells left in Victoria and only a handfull of Safetran M-Bells survive. There are no WABCO bells still functioning on an active commercial railway and all McKenzie & Holland equipment (particularly the teardrop bells) is fading away fast. Today, it's just the same stuff being used over and over again and every setup is almost exactly the same! It's a real shame.

Yeah, the only other place you usually find vintage in Victoria nowadays are at suburban crossings in Melbourne. Unfortunately, several of the classic crossings are being removed by the government (Daniel Andrews even calls them 'relics of the past'. ) For instance, the one in McKinnon looked like a nice crossing to get. (Especially if it still had the Teardrop bell it had in 2010.)
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.911 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.911 ... 312!8i6656

Sadly. Dan the Destructor thinks differently.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.911 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.911 ... 312!8i6656

To add insult to injury, the LXRA made a video of them removing the equipment at the crossing (along with the crossings at Ormond and Bentleigh).


Until recently, Cardinia Road, Pakenham had a 100% Westinghouse setup (with their Hybrid bells, incandescent lights, and gate mechs).
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.070 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.071 ... 312!8i6656

However, the road was unable to cope with the amount of traffic, and they had to widen the road, and naturally, they tossed out the old signals and replaced them with newer ones.

Anyways, there are still some good crossings in Melbourne (the downside is, that most of them have E-Bells. But thankfully, they're not in danger of being replaced or grade separated anytime soon!)

Westgrath Street, Northcote:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.781 ... 312!8i6656

Victoria Road, Northcote (near Dennis station):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.779 ... 312!8i6656

Station Street, Fairfield (like the wooden dog and the nearby station!):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.779 ... 312!8i6656

Yarralea Street, Alphington:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.778 ... 312!8i6656

Marshall Street, Ivanhoe (the last surviving Teardrop bell in Melbourne! Though most of you probably know that by now...):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.768 ... 312!8i6656

Gaffney Street, Pascoe Vale:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.730 ... 312!8i6656

Devon Road, Oak Park:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.721 ... 312!8i6656

Webb Street, Narre Warren (the first crossing I photographed for the site!):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.027 ... 312!8i6656

Cramer Street, Preston:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.740 ... 312!8i6656

Murray Road, Preston:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.737 ... 312!8i6656

chris96 wrote:I love how the surviving signals at abandoned crossings are often "frozen in time" as they normally have old equipment and/or are installed in ways not currently seen as "acceptable" on modern installs. For example, there's no way a crossing on a major highway like the one at Cranbourne wouldn't have boom gates in this day and age.

I'm also really puzzled as to why this particular signal is new (it even has LED lights!):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.100 ... 312!8i6656

Even the relay case looks pretty new:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.100 ... 312!8i6656

Google has recently updated the Streetview image, and the crossing is still there! (Hopefully I'll get to photograph it over the school holidays.)
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.101 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.100 ... 312!8i6656

However, this signal is now missing a crossing light. I presume it either fell off or was clipped by a heavy vehicle.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.100 ... 312!8i6656

https://youtu.be/sUlyeLy_46c

Found a video of this crossing (Armstrongs Road Seaford). I live near this crossing and I can confirm that the hybrid bells were replaced around January this year, so not long after this guy filmed the crossing.
Btw, one of the General Signals bells ( i think the one on the side that the creek/ beach is on) has a blown speaker. Because around the 5:15 minute mark you can hear the normal sound the bell is supposed to make, then the other one makes the wierd sound that I can't explain. It just doesn't sound normal. I wouldn't be surprised if they got it from a crossing that they grade-separated.

Username1 wrote:https://youtu.be/sUlyeLy_46c

Found a video of this crossing (Armstrongs Road Seaford). I live near this crossing and I can confirm that the hybrid bells were replaced around January this year, so not long after this guy filmed the crossing.
Btw, one of the General Signals bells ( i think the one on the side that the creek/ beach is on) has a blown speaker. Because around the 5:15 minute mark you can hear the normal sound the bell is supposed to make, then the other one makes the wierd sound that I can't explain. It just doesn't sound normal. I wouldn't be surprised if they got it from a crossing that they grade-separated.

Either that, or they ordered a faulty bell.

BTW, if you want to see which crossings in Melbourne still have M-bells. You can check out this list I made...
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=3369&p=22951#p22951

TrickyMario7654 wrote:

Username1 wrote:https://youtu.be/sUlyeLy_46c

Found a video of this crossing (Armstrongs Road Seaford). I live near this crossing and I can confirm that the hybrid bells were replaced around January this year, so not long after this guy filmed the crossing.
Btw, one of the General Signals bells ( i think the one on the side that the creek/ beach is on) has a blown speaker. Because around the 5:15 minute mark you can hear the normal sound the bell is supposed to make, then the other one makes the wierd sound that I can't explain. It just doesn't sound normal. I wouldn't be surprised if they got it from a crossing that they grade-separated.

Either that, or they ordered a faulty bell.

BTW, if you want to see which crossings in Melbourne still have M-bells. You can check out this list I made...
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=3369&p=22951#p22951

Good job with that list!
Btw the Hybrids on Seaford road got replaced at the same time as Armstrongs road did. Also, I don't see the ones on Eel Race Road lasting long. The bells have rusted out and now sound quite odd. Almost as if they weren't hybrid bells.

Username1 wrote:Good job with that list!
Btw the Hybrids on Seaford road got replaced at the same time as Armstrongs road did. Also, I don't see the ones on Eel Race Road lasting long. The bells have rusted out and now sound quite odd. Almost as if they weren't hybrid bells.

Seems a bit stupid to replace the ones at Seaford Road considering the fact that the crossing is gonna get grade separated in a few years time. Sort of reminds me of Blackburn Road, which had it's M-Bells (Westinghouse Hybrid & McK&H Teardrop) replaced with E-Bells in Mid-2014, despite being funded for removal at that point!

Also, the Hybrid bells at Toorak Road sound pretty bad. As for Eel Race Road, don't bother grade separating it as only 500 cars use it in the morning peak!