Mike's Railroad Crossing Forum

McK&H.Aust wrote:

TrickyMario7654 wrote:I've got more pictures to share, as I went on a train trip to Noble Park and Clayton to check out some of the crossings in the area being removed.

Great pictures, very interesting (and sad) to see those crossings "in transition" as it were. They are very historical pictures in my opinion.

Thanks. They certainly will be historical in a few years time.

McK&H.Aust wrote:

TrickyMario7654 wrote:I'll start with Clayton Road, Clayton...

The third change (and probably the stupidest one) is that all the lights have been upgraded to LED. This would of been a great upgrade, if they weren't removing the crossing altogether. Also note how the lights on this signal have been mounted on a McK&H junction box?


Some other items of interest.

Brand new lights for a crossing about to be removed, now there's money well spent. Maybe they should paint the masts as well, they do look a bit rusty It's nice that they re-used the McK&H junction box though.

Interesting to see those new looking orange pipes near the McK&H base, looks like they could be going to re-route the cables for the crossing. I wonder if any more changes will be made to the signals in the process.

I noticed that the previous lights (Westinghouse incandescent's) were also mounted on a McK&H Junction box. I imagine that it's been mounted like that for years now.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.924 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.924 ... 312!8i6656

The next change to the crossing will probably be Metro installing General Signal Type 3 e-Bells onto the crossing.

McK&H.Aust wrote:

TrickyMario7654 wrote:The next crossing I got was Heatherton Road, Noble Park.

I should also mention that the cantilevers are a standard CRB (Country Roads Board) style that were used at Victorian traffic intersections and pedestrian crossings in the 1960's & 1970's, although they seemed to only be used as level crossing cantilevers in the late 1970's.

Thanks for the information about those cantilevers. I really like the look of them, certainly much better than the plain looking ones they use today. This is a similar looking one at Benalla which I noticed during my last visit https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.555 ... 312!8i6656

There's still loads of them in use in Melbourne, though most now have LED traffic signals retrofitted to them.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.889 ... 312!8i6656

McK&H.Aust wrote:

TrickyMario7654 wrote:Yep, one of the cantilevers have been removed! (Probably for the same reasons as the one at Clayton). They've replaced it with the mast you see behind the gated signal.

Interesting looking mast for a single pair of lights, it actually looks like the bottom section of a newer traffic light cantilever. I wonder if they used it because it bolted onto the old cantilever foundation?

From the looks of it, it appears that the mast signal was relocated further away from the crossing. So I'm willing to bet your theory of 'they used it because it bolted onto the old cantilever foundation' is correct. Certainly looks weird though.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.965 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.965 ... 312!8i6656

Kinda surprised that they didn't just lop the cantilever off just above the lights and call it a day.

Some interesting crossings in Kalgoorlie WA.....

This passive crossing has an unusual track count sign, plus a "Beware Shunting" sign.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-30.776 ... 312!8i6656

Another passive crossing with strange signage. It has a small crossbuck, large stop sign and another sign warning of shunting, although the track seems to be out of service.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-30.773 ... 312!8i6656

This gateless crossing has 5 masts but doesn't seem to have any bells, plus 1 inverted SORS sign!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-30.738 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-30.738 ... 312!8i6656

While the next crossing along has a WCH m-bell (as do most crossings in Kalgoorlie).
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-30.733 ... 312!8i6656

Another crossing has an older WCH m-bell with a 5 inch mount, on a 4 inch mast!
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-30.736 ... 312!8i6656

It seems the crossing at Gravel Pit Rd, Wangaratta is finally going to have the gates installed on June 19 (unless it is delayed again!). The spelling is wrong in the ARTC notice, Gravel Pitt Rd https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... ?910480870

https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.383 ... 312!8i6656

Another crossing due for removal is this one at Oaklands Park, SA https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.009 ... 312!8i6656
It has been announced that the crossing will be replaced by a rail underpass, with work to begin next year http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-07/o ... ed/8596760

The southern approach to the crossing is quite odd...
First you get the standard advance warning signs https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.011 ... 312!8i6656

Then these traffic lights (protecting the exit from the bus stop?) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.010 ... 312!8i6656

Then the flashing lights for the crossing, with more traffic lights protecting the pedestrian crossing (but no crossbucks) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.010 ... 312!8i6656

Then the actual crossing gate, plus crossbucks (but no forward facing lights) https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.010 ... 312!8i6656

A view from 2007 before the crossing approach was altered, the crossing still had m-bells then. https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.010 ... 328!8i1664

WRRS gate mech https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.010 ... 312!8i6656

McK&H.Aust wrote:It seems the crossing at Gravel Pit Rd, Wangaratta is finally going to have the gates installed on June 19 (unless it is delayed again!). The spelling is wrong in the ARTC notice, Gravel Pitt Rd https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... ?910480870

https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.383 ... 312!8i6656

Jeez, they'll 'fast track' level crossing removals in Melbourne, but dither dather when it comes to crossing upgrades in country Victoria. Makes sense, I guess.

McK&H.Aust wrote:Another crossing due for removal is this one at Oaklands Park, SA https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.009 ... 312!8i6656
It has been announced that the crossing will be replaced by a rail underpass, with work to begin next year http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-07/o ... ed/8596760

I guess the SA government is trying to copy the Victorian government's 'Level Crossing Removal Program'...

Speaking of which the Victorian government recently unveiled this memorial for all those who lost their lives at level crossings in Victoria at St Albans station, where the former Main Road level crossing used to be (where 16 people, most of which are contenders for the Darwin awards, were killed).


Seems alright at first, but most deaths at crossings are caused by people misusing them. Will Daniel Andrews and his corrupt MP's ever learn?!

TrickyMario7654 wrote: I guess the SA government is trying to copy the Victorian government's 'Level Crossing Removal Program'...

Maybe Jay Weatherill should be just like Daniel Andrews in the forum!

TrickyMario7654 wrote: Speaking of which the Victorian government recently unveiled this memorial for all those who lost their lives at level crossings in Victoria at St Albans station, where the former Main Road level crossing used to be (where 16 people, most of which are contenders for the Darwin awards, were killed).


Seems alright at first, but most deaths at crossings are caused by people misusing them. Will Daniel Andrews and his corrupt MP's ever learn?!

I heard about this memorial recently, I think it was a great idea.

ToledoRailfan wrote:

TrickyMario7654 wrote: I guess the SA government is trying to copy the Victorian government's 'Level Crossing Removal Program'...

Maybe Jay Weatherill should be just like Daniel Andrews in the forum!

TrickyMario7654 wrote: Speaking of which the Victorian government recently unveiled this memorial for all those who lost their lives at level crossings in Victoria at St Albans station, where the former Main Road level crossing used to be (where 16 people, most of which are contenders for the Darwin awards, were killed).


Seems alright at first, but most deaths at crossings are caused by people misusing them. Will Daniel Andrews and his corrupt MP's ever learn?!

I heard about this memorial recently, I think it was a great idea.

I agree, I do like the idea of the memorial to those who've lost their lives at Level Crossings in Victoria. However, I think this should not apply to people to deliberately ignore level crossings.

TrickyMario7654 wrote:

McK&H.Aust wrote:It seems the crossing at Gravel Pit Rd, Wangaratta is finally going to have the gates installed on June 19 (unless it is delayed again!). The spelling is wrong in the ARTC notice, Gravel Pitt Rd https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... ?910480870

https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-36.383 ... 312!8i6656

Jeez, they'll 'fast track' level crossing removals in Melbourne, but dither dather when it comes to crossing upgrades in country Victoria. Makes sense, I guess.

McK&H.Aust wrote:Another crossing due for removal is this one at Oaklands Park, SA https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-35.009 ... 312!8i6656
It has been announced that the crossing will be replaced by a rail underpass, with work to begin next year http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-07/o ... ed/8596760

I guess the SA government is trying to copy the Victorian government's 'Level Crossing Removal Program'...

Speaking of which the Victorian government recently unveiled this memorial for all those who lost their lives at level crossings in Victoria at St Albans station, where the former Main Road level crossing used to be (where 16 people, most of which are contenders for the Darwin awards, were killed).


Seems alright at first, but most deaths at crossings are caused by people misusing them. Will Daniel Andrews and his corrupt MP's ever learn?!

I personally believe it's a great idea because the memorial is to be centred around one person. Christian Dejanovic who lost his life trying to save a five year old girl who ran out onto the tracks. This is why St Alburns is getting a memorial and now where else is...
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinio ... 7b79609fb3

Whoops double post my bad.

TrickyMario7654 wrote:I agree, I do like the idea of the memorial to those who've lost their lives at Level Crossings in Victoria. However, I think this should not apply to people to deliberately ignore level crossings.

I'll second that. I feel great sympathy for the families of those who were killed, it's something they never get over. But one thing that makes me angry is there are other people also deeply affected by these incidents who barely even rate a mention. People like train crew, train passengers and other people who witness the events, and the emergency services workers who respond to the incident. All of these people can suffer severe and long lasting trauma which in most cases was caused by someone being stupid.