Australian Railroad Crossing Signals

[TrickyMario7654]

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The Siemens S60 gate mechs have also been having problems and ARTC has withdrawn approval for installation on their network.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.

If that's the case, why can't they just replace the gate mechs? Clearly it's smarter to replace it rather than replacing the whole signal.

[McK&H.Aust]

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.

If that's the case, why can't they just replace the gate mechs? Clearly it's smarter to replace it rather than replacing the whole signal.

I'm not sure why they are replacing the whole signal, but the Safetran bell is dying anyway. It sounds weak and seems to struggle at times. Pretty sure that it's the last Safetran m-bell in NSW, I'm not sure which other crossings had them. I believe the gates at Taree were installed around 1985 and prior to this there were these manually operated gates....
http://www.nswrail.net/locations/gphoto ... height=600
http://www.nswrail.net/locations/gphoto ... height=600

[TrickyMario7654]

Seems like some of the level crossing removals are being fast tracked as part of the 'Andrews Government's Level Crossing Removal Program'.
http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/removing- ... 1464851618

I don't understand why they're reannouncing this, as they said they're gonna fast track the same crossings in September of last year.
http://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/media- ... g-removals

[McK&H.Aust]

Seems like some of the level crossing removals are being fast tracked as part of the 'Andrews Government's Level Crossing Removal Program'.
http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/removing- ... 1464851618

I don't understand why they're reannouncing this, as they said they're gonna fast track the same crossings in September of last year.
http://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/media- ... g-removals

Hey you currently have 666 posts

Sounds like they are trying to get as much political mileage out of the project as they can. I noticed they did a similar thing with the level crossing upgrades on the North East line, making multiple announcements about the same thing. I noticed they went very quiet about the fact that that some of the upgrades have been delayed! I guess they will be able to make even more announcements when the work resumes.

On a different matter, these are the shortest pedestrian signals I have seen https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.632 ... 312!8i6656

[Username1]

A much as I like railway crossings, I personally can't wait for the crossings to be removed in my area. It's the first time something this big has happened. I especially can't wait for Skye/ Overton road to be removed. I hate going to Frankston because of that mess of an intersection. And I don't even cross the railway line there... The traffic lights take an extremely long time to let Wells road traffic to pass through after a train... I also can't wait for station street Carrum to be removed. It's really dangerous there. A small road with heaps of traffic bends to go into Nepean highway, with a crossing between. It's horrible and cars always get held up on the tracks there as it has no car clearance cycle like everywhere else! Although as much as I support Dan, I don't see a reason to remove Eel Race Road. It does get a little backed up in peak hour, but maybe they should just install traffic lights with the crossing. Frankston city council even asked Labor if they could keep the crossing!

[TrickyMario7654]

A much as I like railway crossings, I personally can't wait for the crossings to be removed in my area. It's the first time something this big has happened. I especially can't wait for Skye/ Overton road to be removed. I hate going to Frankston because of that mess of an intersection. And I don't even cross the railway line there... The traffic lights take an extremely long time to let Wells road traffic to pass through after a train... I also can't wait for station street Carrum to be removed. It's really dangerous there. A small road with heaps of traffic bends to go into Nepean highway, with a crossing between. It's horrible and cars always get held up on the tracks there as it has no car clearance cycle like everywhere else! Although as much as I support Dan, I don't see a reason to remove Eel Race Road. It does get a little backed up in peak hour, but maybe they should just install traffic lights with the crossing. Frankston city council even asked Labor if they could keep the crossing!

I've seen your comments on the Skye/Overton Road crossing in Frankston, and looking at it on street view I can see why. A maze of roads intersecting near the crossing.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.130 ... 312!8i6656

But honestly, it's Child's Play compared to High Street, Reservoir!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.716 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.715 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.715 ... 312!8i6656

Looking at Eel Race Road, I honestly have no idea why they think this crossing is 'dangerous and congested'. Only about 500 cars cross here in the morning peak, and it looks fairly quiet in Street view.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.082 ... 312!8i6656

I've also noticed that the LXRA tend to over exaggerate how bad some of the crossings slated for removal are. Clyde Road, Berwick being an example.
http://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/crossi ... ad-berwick

The article says "The Clyde Road level crossing is one of Victoria’s worst. The boom gates disrupt the flow of traffic for the 18,800 vehicles that drive through the level crossing each day, including vehicles travelling to and from health facilities in the area."

Honestly, I think this is far from the worst crossing in Victoria. Not to mention, the road was also duplicated in recent years.

Not to mention, Werribee Street only sees freight trains and the twice-weekly (in each direction) Overland passenger train ever since the Regional Rail Link opened.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.902 ... 312!8i6656

[Username1]

A much as I like railway crossings, I personally can't wait for the crossings to be removed in my area. It's the first time something this big has happened. I especially can't wait for Skye/ Overton road to be removed. I hate going to Frankston because of that mess of an intersection. And I don't even cross the railway line there... The traffic lights take an extremely long time to let Wells road traffic to pass through after a train... I also can't wait for station street Carrum to be removed. It's really dangerous there. A small road with heaps of traffic bends to go into Nepean highway, with a crossing between. It's horrible and cars always get held up on the tracks there as it has no car clearance cycle like everywhere else! Although as much as I support Dan, I don't see a reason to remove Eel Race Road. It does get a little backed up in peak hour, but maybe they should just install traffic lights with the crossing. Frankston city council even asked Labor if they could keep the crossing!

I've seen your comments on the Skye/Overton Road crossing in Frankston, and looking at it on street view I can see why. A maze of roads intersecting near the crossing.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.130 ... 312!8i6656

But honestly, it's Child's Play compared to High Street, Reservoir!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.716 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.715 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.715 ... 312!8i6656

Looking at Eel Race Road, I honestly have no idea why they think this crossing is 'dangerous and congested'. Only about 500 cars cross here in the morning peak, and it looks fairly quiet in Street view.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.082 ... 312!8i6656

I've also noticed that the LXRA tend to over exaggerate how bad some of the crossings slated for removal are. Clyde Road, Berwick being an example.
http://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/crossi ... ad-berwick

The article says "The Clyde Road level crossing is one of Victoria’s worst. The boom gates disrupt the flow of traffic for the 18,800 vehicles that drive through the level crossing each day, including vehicles travelling to and from health facilities in the area."

Honestly, I think this is far from the worst crossing in Victoria. Not to mention, the road was also duplicated in recent years.

Not to mention, Werribee Street only sees freight trains and the twice-weekly (in each direction) Overland passenger train ever since the Regional Rail Link opened.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.902 ... 312!8i6656

Yeah I totally agree about your views on Eel Race and High street. But there's also a freeway on/off ramp just after Skye/ Overton road crossing on the Frankston North side, which makes even more traffic!

Anyway I mentioned on here about a month ago that the bells at Corrgian road were replaced. Well it turns out that they were replaced with type 3's which is rare!
https://youtu.be/hNnro6uka_4

Also one of the e-bells at Parkdale has had a black cloth duct taped around it. Strange. I wonder why they did that?

[freebrickproductions]

A much as I like railway crossings, I personally can't wait for the crossings to be removed in my area. It's the first time something this big has happened. I especially can't wait for Skye/ Overton road to be removed. I hate going to Frankston because of that mess of an intersection. And I don't even cross the railway line there... The traffic lights take an extremely long time to let Wells road traffic to pass through after a train... I also can't wait for station street Carrum to be removed. It's really dangerous there. A small road with heaps of traffic bends to go into Nepean highway, with a crossing between. It's horrible and cars always get held up on the tracks there as it has no car clearance cycle like everywhere else! Although as much as I support Dan, I don't see a reason to remove Eel Race Road. It does get a little backed up in peak hour, but maybe they should just install traffic lights with the crossing. Frankston city council even asked Labor if they could keep the crossing!

I've seen your comments on the Skye/Overton Road crossing in Frankston, and looking at it on street view I can see why. A maze of roads intersecting near the crossing.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.130 ... 312!8i6656

But honestly, it's Child's Play compared to High Street, Reservoir!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.716 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.715 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.715 ... 312!8i6656

Looking at Eel Race Road, I honestly have no idea why they think this crossing is 'dangerous and congested'. Only about 500 cars cross here in the morning peak, and it looks fairly quiet in Street view.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.082 ... 312!8i6656

I've also noticed that the LXRA tend to over exaggerate how bad some of the crossings slated for removal are. Clyde Road, Berwick being an example.
http://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/crossi ... ad-berwick

The article says "The Clyde Road level crossing is one of Victoria’s worst. The boom gates disrupt the flow of traffic for the 18,800 vehicles that drive through the level crossing each day, including vehicles travelling to and from health facilities in the area."

Honestly, I think this is far from the worst crossing in Victoria. Not to mention, the road was also duplicated in recent years.

Not to mention, Werribee Street only sees freight trains and the twice-weekly (in each direction) Overland passenger train ever since the Regional Rail Link opened.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.902 ... 312!8i6656

Yeah I totally agree about your views on Eel Race and High street. But there's also a freeway on/off ramp just after Skye/ Overton road crossing on the Frankston North side, which makes even more traffic!

Anyway I mentioned on here about a month ago that the bells at Corrgian road were replaced. Well it turns out that they were replaced with type 3's which is rare!
https://youtu.be/hNnro6uka_4

Also one of the e-bells at Parkdale has had a black cloth duct taped around it. Strange. I wonder why they did that?

Maybe to try and protect the e-bell from construction work so it can be re-used?

[Username1]

A much as I like railway crossings, I personally can't wait for the crossings to be removed in my area. It's the first time something this big has happened. I especially can't wait for Skye/ Overton road to be removed. I hate going to Frankston because of that mess of an intersection. And I don't even cross the railway line there... The traffic lights take an extremely long time to let Wells road traffic to pass through after a train... I also can't wait for station street Carrum to be removed. It's really dangerous there. A small road with heaps of traffic bends to go into Nepean highway, with a crossing between. It's horrible and cars always get held up on the tracks there as it has no car clearance cycle like everywhere else! Although as much as I support Dan, I don't see a reason to remove Eel Race Road. It does get a little backed up in peak hour, but maybe they should just install traffic lights with the crossing. Frankston city council even asked Labor if they could keep the crossing!

I've seen your comments on the Skye/Overton Road crossing in Frankston, and looking at it on street view I can see why. A maze of roads intersecting near the crossing.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.130 ... 312!8i6656

But honestly, it's Child's Play compared to High Street, Reservoir!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.716 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.715 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.715 ... 312!8i6656

Looking at Eel Race Road, I honestly have no idea why they think this crossing is 'dangerous and congested'. Only about 500 cars cross here in the morning peak, and it looks fairly quiet in Street view.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-38.082 ... 312!8i6656

I've also noticed that the LXRA tend to over exaggerate how bad some of the crossings slated for removal are. Clyde Road, Berwick being an example.
http://levelcrossings.vic.gov.au/crossi ... ad-berwick

The article says "The Clyde Road level crossing is one of Victoria’s worst. The boom gates disrupt the flow of traffic for the 18,800 vehicles that drive through the level crossing each day, including vehicles travelling to and from health facilities in the area."

Honestly, I think this is far from the worst crossing in Victoria. Not to mention, the road was also duplicated in recent years.

Not to mention, Werribee Street only sees freight trains and the twice-weekly (in each direction) Overland passenger train ever since the Regional Rail Link opened.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.902 ... 312!8i6656

Yeah I totally agree about your views on Eel Race and High street. But there's also a freeway on/off ramp just after Skye/ Overton road crossing on the Frankston North side, which makes even more traffic!

Anyway I mentioned on here about a month ago that the bells at Corrgian road were replaced. Well it turns out that they were replaced with type 3's which is rare!
https://youtu.be/hNnro6uka_4

Also one of the e-bells at Parkdale has had a black cloth duct taped around it. Strange. I wonder why they did that?

Maybe to try and protect the e-bell from construction work so it can be re-used?

Sorry if I caused some confusion, I should probably be more clear next time, Parkdale is quite far from Corrigan road. In fact it's on a different train line all together (Frankston line) and the crossing with the bell and cloth is not up for removal. And from what I saw there was no construction in the area. Metro's just being weird again I guess. Or maybe it was too protect it from water damage as it has been raining quite a lot here as we're going into winter now.

[ToledoRailfan]

I came across this interesting setup! Interesting how they used a yoda alarm (or something similar) instead of electronic bells! Kind of cool but also annoying at the same time. It would be interesting to see an Australian crossing with the same yoda alarms used in the United Kingdom, I wonder if there are any?