Mike's Railroad Crossing Forum

McK&H.Aust wrote:

TrickyMario7654 wrote:
From what I've heard, that former level crossing is heritage listed. They've preserved the old hand/interlocking gates at serval crossings that once had them (such as Clifton Hill, Yarraville, and Gisborne).

Speaking of interlocking gates, there's an automated pair of them near Ballarat station. The crossing also has rotating red beacons and a Safetran Type 3 E-Bell. I actually saw a malfunction at that crossing while on holiday last year. Basically, there was a several minute wait at the crossing for a train. During the wait, the gates re-opened! After a while, they closed again and the train went through. I'll post GSV images of it later (my internet is acting up currently).

It's nice that they have preserved some old gates. I presume this is the one at Ballarat you mentioned https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.557 ... 312!8i6656
It's great that they found a way to keep the old gates in operation but seems a bit out of place to have an e-bell, they should have used a teardrop!

I know, it's nice alright. I actually never thought that having a Teardrop bell there would be better, nice point.

There are some more statically preserved examples in Melbourne, some of which I mentioned in my previous post...

• Ramsden Street, Clifton Hill (used until 1992).
• Anderson Street, Yarraville (used until 1995).
• Park Street, Brunswick (used until 1998).
• New Street, Brighton.

The New Street one was the last hand-operated crossing in Melbourne. Lasting until 2007, when it was closed following an incident where the gates were accidently left open and hit & collected by an oncoming train. These pictures from Vicsig shows the aftermath of the incident.




The crossing was re-opened with boom gates in 2013 by the former coalition government. Though many people (including Daniel Andrews) accused them of doing it just so their government could retain the seat the crossing was in. While I think re-opening New Street was a good idea, it should of been done in 2007 (instead of closing it).

Here's a video of the Sandringham line from 2003. You can see the gates in action at 1:29, Some other things you'll see in the video are Semaphore signals, the now retired Hitachi trains, and some of the level crossings on the line. The crossings seen are Linacre Road, Hampton Street (with a Teardrop & Safetran bell, meaning that the hybrids were still fairly new when they were replaced by Metro), Dendy/New Street (located in a roundabout. Until 2013, this crossing had a Teardrop and Safetran bell!), and Bay Street (another crossing with a Teardrop + Safetran bell combo).

TrickyMario7654 wrote:
The New Street one was the last hand-operated crossing in Melbourne. Lasting until 2007, when it was closed following an incident where the gates were accidently left open and hit & collected by an oncoming train. These pictures from Vicsig shows the aftermath of the incident.




The crossing was re-opened with boom gates in 2013 by the former coalition government. Though many people (including Daniel Andrews) accused them of doing it just so their government could retain the seat the crossing was in. While I think re-opening New Street was a good idea, it should of been done in 2007 (instead of closing it).

Here's a video of the Sandringham line from 2003. You can see the gates in action at 1:29, Some other things you'll see in the video are Semaphore signals, the now retired Hitachi trains, and some of the level crossings on the line. The crossings seen are Linacre Road, Hampton Street (with a Teardrop & Safetran bell, meaning that the hybrids were still fairly new when they were replaced by Metro), Dendy/New Street (located in a roundabout. Until 2013, this crossing had a Teardrop and Safetran bell!), and Bay Street (another crossing with a Teardrop + Safetran bell combo).

Interesting video, I thought the Safetran bell and the Teardrop sounded good together. It really is shocking how quickly all of this nice equipment has disappeared.

I believe that these were the last manually operated gates in NSW, they were removed not long after this image was taken in 2010.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.563 ... 312!8i6656

Their replacements https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.562 ... 312!8i6656

McK&H.Aust wrote:Interesting video, I thought the Safetran bell and the Teardrop sounded good together. It really is shocking how quickly all of this nice equipment has disappeared.

I believe that these were the last manually operated gates in NSW, they were removed not long after this image was taken in 2010.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.563 ... 312!8i6656

Their replacements https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.562 ... 312!8i6656

Same, they sound great together. There used to be loads of crossings in Melbourne which had both Safetran and Teardrop bells, but Metro have kindly 'upgraded' them all with E-Bells.

Seriously, there must be some bell nazi in our infrastructure department. From what I've heard, Metro are replacing them because they use too much power. Obviously, this is baloney. Both M-bells and E-bells pretty much use the same amount of power. Metro is slowly ruining everything on the network. They also want to segregate the whole network into five smaller networks by ripping out rail junctions. Clearly, this will cause several issues.

Also, why do hand gates in NSW look completely different to ones in VIC? Heading back to the interlocking gates in Ballarat, this crossing had a hybrid bell mounted on the signal hut in 2009.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.558 ... 312!8i6656

You can still make out where it used to be mounted.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.558 ... 312!8i6656

An active shot from 2009, showing a train waiting at the station.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.557 ... 312!8i6656

Some John Brumby propaganda and an old V/line station sign (with the Pacific National logo in place of the V/line logo). Both of these have been removed now.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.557 ... 312!8i6656

Just found out that Daniel Andrews is committed to removing more than just the 50 already announced. How many more do we need? 50 is enough for now...


Also, the pillars for the Skyrail project along the Dandenong corridor is being produced a purpose built factory in Pakenham.

TrickyMario7654 wrote:

McK&H.Aust wrote:Interesting video, I thought the Safetran bell and the Teardrop sounded good together. It really is shocking how quickly all of this nice equipment has disappeared.

I believe that these were the last manually operated gates in NSW, they were removed not long after this image was taken in 2010.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.563 ... 312!8i6656

Their replacements https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.562 ... 312!8i6656

Same, they sound great together. There used to be loads of crossings in Melbourne which had both Safetran and Teardrop bells, but Metro have kindly 'upgraded' them all with E-Bells.

Seriously, there must be some bell nazi in our infrastructure department. From what I've heard, Metro are replacing them because they use too much power. Obviously, this is baloney. Both M-bells and E-bells pretty much use the same amount of power. Metro is slowly ruining everything on the network. They also want to segregate the whole network into five smaller networks by ripping out rail junctions. Clearly, this will cause several issues.

Also, why do hand gates in NSW look completely different to ones in VIC? Heading back to the interlocking gates in Ballarat, this crossing had a hybrid bell mounted on the signal hut in 2009.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.558 ... 312!8i6656

You can still make out where it used to be mounted.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.558 ... 312!8i6656

An active shot from 2009, showing a train waiting at the station.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.557 ... 312!8i6656

Some John Brumby propaganda and an old V/line station sign (with the Pacific National logo in place of the V/line logo). Both of these have been removed now.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.557 ... 312!8i6656

I don't buy the power saving excuse for Metro installing e-bells, they do use a bit less power but it's not that much of a saving. The best power savings come from converting the lights to LED, and I've noticed that many of the crossings with e-bells still have incandescent lights. When you think about it most crossings have only two bells, but at least 8 lights (four illuminated at the same time).

NSW has used those style of gates for a fair while, but those are probably not the originals.

McK&H.Aust wrote:I don't buy the power saving excuse for Metro installing e-bells, they do use a bit less power but it's not that much of a saving. The best power savings come from converting the lights to LED, and I've noticed that many of the crossings with e-bells still have incandescent lights. When you think about it most crossings have only two bells, but at least 8 lights (four illuminated at the same time).

NSW has used those style of gates for a fair while, but those are probably not the originals.

I agree, I'm not falling for what they're saying about M-Bells. Anyways, they usually just replace the older incandescent lights with LED ones rather than just converting them to LED.

Take a look at the crossing in Ringwood East. In 2009, the crossing had McK&H lights (the crossing received gates in the 1980's, meaning that they probably reused the old flashing lights signals and added gates behind it).
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.812 ... 312!8i6656

By 2014, the crossing had an LED upgrade with the McK&H lights replaced with Westinghouse LED lights. Also note how a traffic island and traffic signals has been added near the crossing.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.812 ... 312!8i6656

Also, this crossing had a Safetran bell in 2009!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.812 ... 312!8i6656

If you go back further to 2008, this crossing still had a B&W gate (with chervon shaped gate reflectors!).
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.812 ... 328!8i1664

Also, I found this interesting newspaper article about the Boronia level crossing being upgraded with flashing lights in the early 1950's. There's a picture of one of the flashing lights signals (which has a McK&H Teardrop, lights of an unknown brand, and an interesting looking crossbuck.)


Looks the same as the one seen in this old picture of the Main Street crossing in Pakenham.


The Boronia crossing was then upgraded with gates in 1971, with the crossing grade separated in 1998. This picture was taken by Weston Langford shortly before the crossing was removed. You can make out that the crossing had McK&H lights, McK&H gate mechs, and two Westinghouse hybrid bells.


Here's another picture showing a steam train using the crossing! (Taken in 1997 by Weston Langford)


Weston Langford has got lots of photos of the crossing and the nearby station before the project, and during the project.
http://www.westonlangford.com/search/?q ... ry=&state=

Here's the site today. Before the crossing was removed, Dorset Road use to do a dogleg on each side of the crossing. This means that you would of had to turn left onto Boronia Road, before turning right back onto Dorset Road.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.862 ... 312!8i6656

Here's what I mean by a 'dogleg'. (My father still remembers this crossing and how easy it was to get lost here. We actually drove through this intersection late last year, and I had to remind him of it.)
https://digitised-collections.unimelb.e ... quence=100

Sorry for the long post, BTW!

TrickyMario7654 wrote:Also, this crossing had a Safetran bell in 2009!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.812 ... 312!8i6656

Looks like the gong was rotated about 180 degrees some time after the bell was painted black.

TrickyMario7654 wrote:Also, I found this interesting newspaper article about the Boronia level crossing being upgraded with flashing lights in the early 1950's. There's a picture of one of the flashing lights signals (which has a McK&H Teardrop, lights of an unknown brand, and an interesting looking crossbuck.)


Looks the same as the one seen in this old picture of the Main Street crossing in Pakenham.


The Boronia crossing was then upgraded with gates in 1971, with the crossing grade separated in 1998. This picture was taken by Weston Langford shortly before the crossing was removed. You can make out that the crossing had McK&H lights, McK&H gate mechs, and two Westinghouse hybrid bells.


Here's another picture showing a steam train using the crossing! (Taken in 1997 by Weston Langford)


Weston Langford has got lots of photos of the crossing and the nearby station before the project, and during the project.
http://www.westonlangford.com/search/?q ... ry=&state=

Here's the site today. Before the crossing was removed, Dorset Road use to do a dogleg on each side of the crossing. This means that you would of had to turn left onto Boronia Road, before turning right back onto Dorset Road.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.862 ... 312!8i6656

Here's what I mean by a 'dogleg'. (My father still remembers this crossing and how easy it was to get lost here. We actually drove through this intersection late last year, and I had to remind him of it.)
https://digitised-collections.unimelb.e ... quence=100

Sorry for the long post, BTW!

Very interesting history of the crossing, the site has changed so much that it's barely recognisable, I'm glad that somebody took photos. Back in the 1950's it made the news when a crossing was installed, now it makes the news when a crossing is removed.

McK&H.Aust wrote:Think I may have found two more Modern Industries bells on this crossing at Wagga Wagga.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.121 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.122 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.122 ... 312!8i6656

Visited the crossing two days ago and they are both Modern Industries bells. Got plenty of footage and pictures.

TrickyMario7654 wrote:Just found out that Daniel Andrews is committed to removing more than just the 50 already announced. How many more do we need? 50 is enough for now...


Also, the pillars for the Skyrail project along the Dandenong corridor is being produced a purpose built factory in Pakenham.

Sounds like Dan needs to be re-elected before this happens, then he needs to find the money.

McK&H.Aust wrote:Very interesting history of the crossing, the site has changed so much that it's barely recognisable, I'm glad that somebody took photos. Back in the 1950's it made the news when a crossing was installed, now it makes the news when a crossing is removed.

Yeah, it does. This particular crossing was the site of this accident in 1952.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/23182129

McK&H.Aust wrote:

McK&H.Aust wrote:Think I may have found two more Modern Industries bells on this crossing at Wagga Wagga.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.121 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.122 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.122 ... 312!8i6656

Visited the crossing two days ago and they are both Modern Industries bells. Got plenty of footage and pictures.

Cool. So that's two crossings in NSW with them. Also, what happened to that video of the crossing at Shepherds Siding?

McK&H.Aust wrote:

TrickyMario7654 wrote:Just found out that Daniel Andrews is committed to removing more than just the 50 already announced. How many more do we need? 50 is enough for now...


Also, the pillars for the Skyrail project along the Dandenong corridor is being produced a purpose built factory in Pakenham.

Sounds like Dan needs to be re-elected before this happens, then he needs to find the money.

You know what? I don't think removing more than 50 crossings will be viable. Why? Because he already sold the Port of Melbourne, and I don't think money grows on trees.

Anyways, here's a few wooden boom barriers in Melbourne which have black & white tops (indicating that they've been repainted at one point).
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.829 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.961 ... 312!8i6656

TrickyMario7654 wrote:Also, what happened to that video of the crossing at Shepherds Siding?

I've been doing some research, it seems that there is no suburb or town named Shepherds Siding, it's just a railway name. Hopefully the video will be up some time on Sunday.

TrickyMario7654 wrote:

McK&H.Aust wrote:

TrickyMario7654 wrote:Just found out that Daniel Andrews is committed to removing more than just the 50 already announced. How many more do we need? 50 is enough for now...


Also, the pillars for the Skyrail project along the Dandenong corridor is being produced a purpose built factory in Pakenham.

Sounds like Dan needs to be re-elected before this happens, then he needs to find the money.

You know what? I don't think removing more than 50 crossings will be viable. Why? Because he already sold the Port of Melbourne, and I don't think money grows on trees.

I agree, the original 50 crossings would have to be finished first and who knows what problems will be encountered with them, such as cost blowouts, public backlash etc. It would be interesting to see which crossings are on Dan's new hit list, even that could cause controversy in itself.

McK&H.Aust wrote:

TrickyMario7654 wrote:Also, what happened to that video of the crossing at Shepherds Siding?

I've been doing some research, it seems that there is no suburb or town named Shepherds Siding, it's just a railway name. Hopefully the video will be up some time on Sunday.

What town is it closest to then? I'd just list it as "near <Town Name>" since it isn't in a town.