Mike's Railroad Crossing Forum

Are there any "flat gates" on a metro line? I saw a picture of one that is used for when workers need to get across in the rail yard but I can't remember where it is. Personally I like the flat gates better the the A-framed gates.

Username1 wrote:Are there any "flat gates" on a metro line? I saw a picture of one that is used for when workers need to get across in the rail yard but I can't remember where it is. Personally I like the flat gates better the the A-framed gates.

There used to be one at Dawson Street in Brunswick.
2009: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.771 ... 312!8i6656
2014: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.771 ... 312!8i6656

Honestly, I like wishbone gates more.

TrickyMario7654 wrote:

Username1 wrote:Are there any "flat gates" on a metro line? I saw a picture of one that is used for when workers need to get across in the rail yard but I can't remember where it is. Personally I like the flat gates better the the A-framed gates.

There used to be one at Dawson Street in Brunswick.
2009: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.771 ... 312!8i6656
2014: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.771 ... 312!8i6656

Honestly, I like wishbone gates more.

Damn, maybe Connex was starting to change over but then metro came in and changed it back. Or it was the only gate they had at the time.
I was going past the Carrum signalling yard yesterday and there appears the be a flat hate in there, although it had a triangular end on it, I couldn't see the other end of it as it went behind a shed. When I go past next I'll have to get a better look. Does anybody know who makes the A-framed gates? I know WCH does but theirs looks different to the ones that metro is using. It probably won't be long until they start using flat gates though. I have seen that they are cheaper to make and purchase so it's bound to not be long until Metro gives in.

Username1 wrote:Damn, maybe Connex was starting to change over but then metro came in and changed it back. Or it was the only gate they had at the time.
I was going past the Carrum signalling yard yesterday and there appears the be a flat hate in there, although it had a triangular end on it, I couldn't see the other end of it as it went behind a shed. When I go past next I'll have to get a better look. Does anybody know who makes the A-framed gates? I know WCH does but theirs looks different to the ones that metro is using. It probably won't be long until they start using flat gates though. I have seen that they are cheaper to make and purchase so it's bound to not be long until Metro gives in.

Actually. I bet they'll have loads of spare wishbone gates, considering the amount of crossings that are embarked for grade separation.

Username1 wrote:Does anybody know who makes the A-framed gates? I know WCH does but theirs looks different to the ones that metro is using. It probably won't be long until they start using flat gates though. I have seen that they are cheaper to make and purchase so it's bound to not be long until Metro gives in.

They were made by PTC's Ballarat Workshops. Here's an image I took of one at Royal Park that still has its original logo:
DSC09053 by Christian Nolan, on Flickr

Also, there's a flat gate in the East Melbourne yards (under William Barak Bridge):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.818 ... 312!8i6656

chris96 wrote:They were made by PTC's Ballarat Workshops. Here's an image I took of one at Royal Park that still has its original logo:

Isn't that the same PTC that ran the rail network at one point?

Also, I've noticed that some level crossing boom gates in Melbourne have the crossing ID on them too (such as this one in Murrumbeena).
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.889 ... 312!8i6656
I know it's hard to see, but I know it's there because I've seen this crossing in person. It also has the PTC stickers too!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.889 ... 312!8i6656

One more question. Who makes the gate lights on the Metro boom gates?

chris96 wrote:

Username1 wrote:Does anybody know who makes the A-framed gates? I know WCH does but theirs looks different to the ones that metro is using. It probably won't be long until they start using flat gates though. I have seen that they are cheaper to make and purchase so it's bound to not be long until Metro gives in.

They were made by PTC's Ballarat Workshops. Here's an image I took of one at Royal Park that still has its original logo:


Also, there's a flat gate in the East Melbourne yards (under William Barak Bridge):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.818 ... 312!8i6656

Also another question, does anybody know if PTC is still open? If it's closed, how many years has it been closed for?

Username1 wrote:

chris96 wrote:

Username1 wrote:Does anybody know who makes the A-framed gates? I know WCH does but theirs looks different to the ones that metro is using. It probably won't be long until they start using flat gates though. I have seen that they are cheaper to make and purchase so it's bound to not be long until Metro gives in.

They were made by PTC's Ballarat Workshops. Here's an image I took of one at Royal Park that still has its original logo:


Also, there's a flat gate in the East Melbourne yards (under William Barak Bridge):
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.818 ... 312!8i6656

Also another question, does anybody know if PTC is still open? If it's closed, how many years has it been closed for?

I think they may be defunct, as the newer wishbone gates lack the stickers.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.037 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.037 ... 312!8i6656

Some finds in Ballarat and the surrounding area.

1 Track signs.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.542 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.542 ... 312!8i6656

More 1 Track signs at this crossing further down the line.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.535 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.535 ... 312!8i6656

The next crossing up the line has changed in some way each time Street View went through it.

In 2007, the crossing had incandescent lights and a Teardrop bell.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.527 ... 328!8i1664

2009, and the 'SORS' signs had been replaced with newer ones.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.527 ... 312!8i6656

By 2014, V/Trash had trashed the crossing by replacing the Teardrop bell with a Safetran Type 3 E-Bell, and the lights had been upgraded to LED's.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.527 ... 312!8i6656

Finally in 2016, things got ridiculous. The crossing now has gates! Oddly enough, they've either used a General Signals or Safetran Type 2 E-Bell rather than the typical Safetran Type 3's that V/Trash usually use on new setups.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.527 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.527 ... 312!8i6656

Here's an example of V/Line trashing a classic set-up. The stupid part is, the crossing already had gates! Why would they waste their money on new signals?!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.542 ... 328!8i1664
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.542 ... 312!8i6656

Ok, now they're just wasting their money! They replaced this Safetran Type 3 E-Bell, with a General Signals E-Bell!
2014: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.540 ... 312!8i6656
2016: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.541 ... 312!8i6656
They even replaced the LED lights, with LED lights!
2014: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.540 ... 312!8i6656
2016: https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.541 ... 312!8i6656

These next finds are in the Geelong area.

This crossing still has the 'DON'T PUSH YOUR X-ING LUCK' signs from last year advising that the opening of the RRL would lead to an increase of trains using the line from June 21, 2015. Honestly, I think people would get the message by now.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.152 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.151 ... 312!8i6656

Also, this side is missing the SORS sign!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.152 ... 312!8i6656

Probably one of the last crossings on a V/Line track to still have wishbone gates!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.158 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.158 ... 312!8i6656

TrickyMario7654 wrote: Probably one of the last crossings on a V/Line track to still have wishbone gates!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.158 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.158 ... 312!8i6656

I'm pretty sure those are the only wishbone gates left on a V/Line track! I'm guessing they were hard to replace as they seem to be a lot longer than normal.

As for PTC, they were indeed the same company who operated Victoria's railways at one point. They had a manufacturing branch in Ballarat to produce infostructure for their lines. They have been defunct for several years now.