Mike's Railroad Crossing Forum

Sydney Trains have been busy replacing bells on crossings between Wollongong and Kiama, NSW. In the last month or two the WCH M-bells at the following crossings have been replaced by WCH E-bells.

Tip Rd, Minnamurra https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.618 ... 312!8i6656 This crossing was actually upgraded with gates not long after the image was taken, the new gated signals also had M-bells until recently.

Creamery Rd, Albion Park https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.560 ... 312!8i6656 This crossing has only ever had one bell.

Bong Bong Rd, Dapto https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.493 ... 312!8i6656 This crossing had two different sounding M-bells which can be heard in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-sf_82FLlw

Princes Hwy, Unanderra https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.464 ... 312!8i6656 I filmed this crossing in September 2016 and like Dapto it also had two different sounding M-bells http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z595GoQ07hM&t=272s

Interestingly, the nearby crossing at Nolan St, Unanderra still has it's M-bells, but for how long? https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.462 ... 312!8i6656

Another nearby crossing at Kembla Grange also had it's single M-bell replaced by a WCH E-bell a year or two ago. The inverted SORS signs still remain though. https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.470 ... 312!8i6656

Also at Kembla Grange, this crossing on an industrial spur hasn't seen a train for five years. The crossing remains intact although the tracks are now heavily overgrown. https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.469 ... 312!8i6656
Evidence that the track was still being used in 2009 https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.469 ... 312!8i6656

I'll end on a positive note. The Westinghouse teardrop bell still survives at this crossing. https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.479 ... 312!8i6656

McK&H.Aust wrote:Sydney Trains have been busy replacing bells on crossings between Wollongong and Kiama, NSW. In the last month or two the WCH M-bells at the following crossings have been replaced by WCH E-bells.

Tip Rd, Minnamurra https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.618 ... 312!8i6656 This crossing was actually upgraded with gates not long after the image was taken, the new gated signals also had M-bells until recently.

Creamery Rd, Albion Park https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.560 ... 312!8i6656 This crossing has only ever had one bell.

Bong Bong Rd, Dapto https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.493 ... 312!8i6656 This crossing had two different sounding M-bells which can be heard in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-sf_82FLlw

Princes Hwy, Unanderra https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.464 ... 312!8i6656 I filmed this crossing in September 2016 and like Dapto it also had two different sounding M-bells http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z595GoQ07hM&t=272s

Interestingly, the nearby crossing at Nolan St, Unanderra still has it's M-bells, but for how long? https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.462 ... 312!8i6656

Another nearby crossing at Kembla Grange also had it's single M-bell replaced by a WCH E-bell a year or two ago. The inverted SORS signs still remain though. https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.470 ... 312!8i6656

Also at Kembla Grange, this crossing on an industrial spur hasn't seen a train for five years. The crossing remains intact although the tracks are now heavily overgrown. https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.469 ... 312!8i6656
Evidence that the track was still being used in 2009 https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.469 ... 312!8i6656

I'll end on a positive note. The Westinghouse teardrop bell still survives at this crossing. https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.479 ... 312!8i6656

Oh no, the Metro bell nazis have spread over to Sydney Trains!

Anyways, I've noticed some more new images in streetview, here's some highlights...

Mountain Highway grade separation now shown.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.840 ... 312!8i6656

Here's the crossing that was removed. It had hybrid bells, McK&H lights converted to LED's (except on the cantilevers), and Westinghouse Pedestrian Boom barriers.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.840 ... 312!8i6656

Seems that Brunt Road is still missing a crossbuck on one of the signals.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.061 ... 312!8i6656

The old passive crossing sign on Progress Street, Dandenong South still appears to be standing as of last month.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.005 ... 312!8i6656

There's also an LXRA construction site at this crossing, even though it's not being removed anytime soon.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.006 ... 312!8i6656

TrickyMario7654 wrote:

McK&H.Aust wrote:Sydney Trains have been busy replacing bells on crossings between Wollongong and Kiama, NSW. In the last month or two the WCH M-bells at the following crossings have been replaced by WCH E-bells.

Tip Rd, Minnamurra https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.618 ... 312!8i6656 This crossing was actually upgraded with gates not long after the image was taken, the new gated signals also had M-bells until recently.

Creamery Rd, Albion Park https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.560 ... 312!8i6656 This crossing has only ever had one bell.

Bong Bong Rd, Dapto https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.493 ... 312!8i6656 This crossing had two different sounding M-bells which can be heard in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-sf_82FLlw

Princes Hwy, Unanderra https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.464 ... 312!8i6656 I filmed this crossing in September 2016 and like Dapto it also had two different sounding M-bells http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z595GoQ07hM&t=272s

Interestingly, the nearby crossing at Nolan St, Unanderra still has it's M-bells, but for how long? https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.462 ... 312!8i6656

Another nearby crossing at Kembla Grange also had it's single M-bell replaced by a WCH E-bell a year or two ago. The inverted SORS signs still remain though. https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.470 ... 312!8i6656

Also at Kembla Grange, this crossing on an industrial spur hasn't seen a train for five years. The crossing remains intact although the tracks are now heavily overgrown. https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.469 ... 312!8i6656
Evidence that the track was still being used in 2009 https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.469 ... 312!8i6656

I'll end on a positive note. The Westinghouse teardrop bell still survives at this crossing. https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.479 ... 312!8i6656

Oh no, the Metro bell nazis have spread over to Sydney Trains!

Anyways, I've noticed some more new images in streetview, here's some highlights...

Mountain Highway grade separation now shown.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.840 ... 312!8i6656

Here's the crossing that was removed. It had hybrid bells, McK&H lights converted to LED's (except on the cantilevers), and Westinghouse Pedestrian Boom barriers.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.840 ... 312!8i6656

Seems that Brunt Road is still missing a crossbuck on one of the signals.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.061 ... 312!8i6656

The old passive crossing sign on Progress Street, Dandenong South still appears to be standing as of last month.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.005 ... 312!8i6656

There's also an LXRA construction site at this crossing, even though it's not being removed anytime soon.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.006 ... 312!8i6656

Yes it seems like the bell Nazis are moving north. It could be worse, they could be installing GS Type 2's everywhere!
The Crossing at Brunt Rd looks like a nice one, it even has hybrid bells still, let's hope the bell Nazis have forgotten about it.

Am I the only one having problems on GSV in the areas with the latest images? It seems difficult to navigate around and you can't go back to see earlier images.

Here's a crossing on an industrial spur at Acacia Ridge, QLD. Seems like an older setup with WRRS or McK&H gate mechs, and the lights are still incandescent. The candy stripes are even painted on the cantilevers! https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-27.585 ... 312!8i6656
The image has only been updated today, as I was looking last night and it was from 2015/2016. The previous image was also taken from the opposite side of the road, but now I can't go back to it. Anyone else having the same problem?

McK&H.Aust wrote:Yes it seems like the bell Nazis are moving north. It could be worse, they could be installing GS Type 2's everywhere!
The Crossing at Brunt Rd looks like a nice one, it even has hybrid bells still, let's hope the bell Nazis have forgotten about it.

Am I the only one having problems on GSV in the areas with the latest images? It seems difficult to navigate around and you can't go back to see earlier images.

Here's a crossing on an industrial spur at Acacia Ridge, QLD. Seems like an older setup with WRRS or McK&H gate mechs, and the lights are still incandescent. The candy stripes are even painted on the cantilevers! https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-27.585 ... 312!8i6656
The image has only been updated today, as I was looking last night and it was from 2015/2016. The previous image was also taken from the opposite side of the road, but now I can't go back to it. Anyone else having the same problem?

Brunt Road is quite a nice crossing, having retained all of it's original equipment and still having a rural feel to it.

I've been having the same problems too. Hopefully Google will fix it.

Someone also recently uploaded this video of the Sandringham line from the early 1980's, showing off Tait/Red Rattler trains along the line. Although you do see some level crossing related things in the video. Such as the Abbott Street crossing in Sandringham (which had a Teardrop bell until at least 2013!), the Prahran level crossing (which had Safetran bells at the time), and the Union Street level crossing in Windsor (which was still using handgates at the time!).

TrickyMario7654 wrote:

McK&H.Aust wrote:Yes it seems like the bell Nazis are moving north. It could be worse, they could be installing GS Type 2's everywhere!
The Crossing at Brunt Rd looks like a nice one, it even has hybrid bells still, let's hope the bell Nazis have forgotten about it.

Am I the only one having problems on GSV in the areas with the latest images? It seems difficult to navigate around and you can't go back to see earlier images.

Here's a crossing on an industrial spur at Acacia Ridge, QLD. Seems like an older setup with WRRS or McK&H gate mechs, and the lights are still incandescent. The candy stripes are even painted on the cantilevers! https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-27.585 ... 312!8i6656
The image has only been updated today, as I was looking last night and it was from 2015/2016. The previous image was also taken from the opposite side of the road, but now I can't go back to it. Anyone else having the same problem?

Brunt Road is quite a nice crossing, having retained all of it's original equipment and still having a rural feel to it.

I've been having the same problems too. Hopefully Google will fix it.

Someone also recently uploaded this video of the Sandringham line from the early 1980's, showing off Tait/Red Rattler trains along the line. Although you do see some level crossing related things in the video. Such as the Abbott Street crossing in Sandringham (which had a Teardrop bell until at least 2013!), the Prahran level crossing (which had Safetran bells at the time), and the Union Street level crossing in Windsor (which was still using handgates at the time!).

Nice find with the video, some real cool old stuff there. Teardrop bells, Safetran bells and old gates, it must be like a horror movie for Daniel Andrews!

I hope Google can get their act together, and hopefully they update more areas so we're not looking at images that are almost 10 years old.

I've noticed that a lot of the early Victorian boom gate installs (up until 1963) had an unusual style base with AFAIK, was only used in Victoria.

Here's the crossings I've found with them...

Heatherdale Road, Mitcham. (This crossing was installed in around 1959, but was recently removed as part of the 'Andrews Government's level crossing removal program.)
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.818 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.818 ... 312!8i6656

Greville Street, Prahran. (I'm not too sure when this crossing was installed, but it was around 1960-1963)
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.849 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.849 ... 312!8i6656

Balcombe Road, Mentone. (This crossing was installed as late as 1963, it also still has the original McK&H lights. This crossing is also slated for removal.)
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.981 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.981 ... 312!8i6656

Devon Road, Oak Park. (This install is from 1962, and according to some old images from the PROV site, this crossing once had a Grisworld M-bell. Interestingly enough, only one side of the crossing has this style of base. Another odd thing about this crossing is that the lantern gate lights are mounted on top of the gate, rather than below it.)
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.721 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.721 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.721 ... 312!8i6656

Marshall Street, Ivanhoe. (As mentioned before, this install was from 1960. Asides from being where Melbourne's last Teardrop bell once stood, it also has this style of base on the gate masts.)
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.768 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.768 ... 312!8i6656

Park Street, Moonee Ponds. (This crossing also has General Signals Type 1 e-Bells, not too sure when this was installed.)
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.761 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.761 ... 312!8i6656

Linacre Road, Hampton. (I'm not too sure on the installation date for this crossing either)
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.942 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.942 ... 312!8i6656

McKinnon Road, McKInnon (This one is really odd, as these signals were installed in 1974. Yet, one of the signals has this style of base. Maybe it was reused from another crossing? Of course, Daniel Andrews has removed this crossing.)
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.910 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.911 ... 312!8i6656

Mundy Street, Bendigo (This install is from 1959.)
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.761 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.761 ... 328!8i1664

High Street, Wodonga. (This crossing was eliminated with the Wodonga rail bypass, sadly.)
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.120 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.120 ... 312!8i6656

Moving onto other things, I've found a pair of Westinghouse lights which is missing the cover off the junction box!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.074 ... 312!8i6656

TrickyMario7654 wrote:Park Street, Moonee Ponds. (This crossing also has General Signals Type 1 e-Bells, not too sure when this was installed.)
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.761 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.761 ... 312!8i6656

Someone needs to record and/or document that crossing!

freebrickproductions wrote:

TrickyMario7654 wrote:Park Street, Moonee Ponds. (This crossing also has General Signals Type 1 e-Bells, not too sure when this was installed.)
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.761 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.761 ... 312!8i6656

Someone needs to record and/or document that crossing!

Someone filmed a video of it in 2010.


There's also this video from 2009, where someone tied a plush penguin toy onto one of the gates. (The video has cursing in it, so I'll only post a link.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MK15yMPYBI

TrickyMario7654 wrote:

freebrickproductions wrote:

TrickyMario7654 wrote:Park Street, Moonee Ponds. (This crossing also has General Signals Type 1 e-Bells, not too sure when this was installed.)
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.761 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.761 ... 312!8i6656

Someone needs to record and/or document that crossing!

Someone filmed a video of it in 2010.


There's also this video from 2009, where someone tied a plush penguin toy onto one of the gates. (The video has cursing in it, so I'll only post a link.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MK15yMPYBI

Well, someone needs to re-record it! Also wouldn't mind getting it on the site.

Just returned from a trip to Taree NSW, got plenty of photos and videos....

I am pleased to report that this crossing still has it's Harmon gate mechs, Harmon lights and the Safetran m-bell, and remains unchanged from the 2010 GSV images https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.907 ... 312!8i6656

I got talking to a signal maintainer here and found out that the crossing is scheduled for an upgrade in 3 weeks time. Both gated signals will be replaced by completely new signals with Siemens S60 gate mechs, United Group lights and e-bells (type unknown but most likely WCH). Both median signals with their Harmon lights will remain. This is due to the Harmon gate mechs being prone to develop a fault whereby the hold-clear mechanism fails to release properly, resulting in the gate not lowering! Apparently ARTC have plans to remove all remaining Harmon mechs from their network.

The Siemens S60 gate mechs have also been having problems and ARTC has withdrawn approval for installation on their network. A common fault (completely opposite to the Harmon mechs) is the gates failing to rise when they are supposed to! This crossing at Taree will probably be one of the last to receive the S60 mechs, once the current stocks are used up all future installations will use WCH type 3593 mechs which have proven to be very reliable and easier to work on.

Another crossing on death row is this one at Melinga, which will be replaced in 2 weeks time with new signals and a WCH e-bell https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.801 ... 312!8i6656
The current crossing has WCH lights mounted on Westinghouse brackets and an early model WCH m-bell.

Another nearby crossing at Coopernook has recently received a similar upgrade, and sadly the teardrop bell and the old signals are gone https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.805 ... 312!8i6656

In more positive news, this crossing at Lansdowne (between Melinga and Coopernook) remains unchanged and still has a Westinghouse teardrop bell. There are currently no plans to upgrade the crossing. https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.790 ... 312!8i6656

Last but not least, this crossing at Wingham remains intact and unchanged from the 2010 GSV images. https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.864 ... 312!8i6656