Mike's Railroad Crossing Forum

I have some sad news to share. I just found this Feb 2017 Streetview image which shows that the B&W gate at Diamond Street, Eltham has been replaced.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.711 ... 312!8i6656

Here's the now removed gate in September 2016.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.711 ... 312!8i6656

Another view of the old gate in December 2016 (shortly before it was replaced).
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.711 ... 312!8i6656

In other news, the old B&W gate and hybrid bells at Oakover Road, Preston still remains as of February 2017, but how much longer will they last?
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.749 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.749 ... 312!8i6656

Someone needs to document that crossing, along with Murray Road (which is one of the few remaining crossings in Victoria to have old gate mechs and m-bells). Not to mention, I wouldn't mind having the other Preston crossings (Bell Street and Cramer Street) documented on the site too.

The hybrid bells at Eel Race road Seaford are almost dead now... I reckon they could easily take the title for being the worst hybrids in the state or even country! Just last year in October I noticed that they were beginning to lose beat, but they weren't bad at all not, neither good though. But over summer they've just taken the turn for the the worst. I reckon it will get e bells before it's seperated.. I believe that the reason they've become so bad now is because we had a really humid summer this year in Melbourne, aswell with a lot of storms. Also the wind was mostly coming from the west, and the beach is right across the road from the crossing aswell (the beach is on the western side) so they've most likely rusted out inside..
Here's a video of them that I found: https://youtu.be/MI0eV99mM5w

I'm not sure if this has been posted before, but this is just outside the Trainworks Rail Museum in Thirlmere, New South Wales :
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.204 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.204 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-34.204 ... 312!8i6656

Also, are these US&S gate mechs? I didn't know we had them in Australia!:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-16.927 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-16.927 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-16.927 ... 312!8i6656

chris96 wrote: Also, are these US&S gate mechs? I didn't know we had them in Australia!:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-16.927 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-16.927 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-16.927 ... 312!8i6656

Yep. US&S Model 95s.

Got some incandescent US&S 12x20s there as well:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-16.927 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-16.927 ... 312!8i6656

It seems that the installation of gates in northeast Victoria has resumed in earnest. The following crossings are scheduled for upgrades in the next month.....

Gravel Pit Rd, Wangaratta (June 28) https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... ?610702896

Cemetery Rd, Benalla (July 10) https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... 1210578449

Williams Rd (Avenel - Locksley) and Oxenburys Rd, Longwood (July 24) https://extranet.artc.com.au/docman/Doc ... 1210578449

freebrickproductions wrote:

chris96 wrote: Also, are these US&S gate mechs? I didn't know we had them in Australia!:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-16.927 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-16.927 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-16.927 ... 312!8i6656

Yep. US&S Model 95s.

Got some incandescent US&S 12x20s there as well:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-16.927 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-16.927 ... 312!8i6656

Those are pretty much just like the ones that I filmed in Cleveland earlier this month.

ToledoRailfan wrote:

freebrickproductions wrote:

chris96 wrote: Also, are these US&S gate mechs? I didn't know we had them in Australia!:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-16.927 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-16.927 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-16.927 ... 312!8i6656

Yep. US&S Model 95s.

Got some incandescent US&S 12x20s there as well:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-16.927 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-16.927 ... 312!8i6656

Those are pretty much just like the ones that I filmed in Cleveland earlier this month.

I just realized that the crossing also used to have some Modern Industries/Harmon 12x20 inch lights on the cantilever:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-16.927 ... 328!8i1664
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-16.927 ... 328!8i1664

Sadly, they got replaced with Westinghouse 8 inch LED lights:
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-16.927 ... 312!8i6656

Seems like Australia is going backwards from the US in regards to light sizes!

Anyone remember this video?


Well I think I've found this crossing's Australian cousin! Could this be the safest grade crossing in Australia? It is located just out of Bacchus Marsh on the Ballarat line:



As you can see, there isn't even a road at this crossing, but rather just a small mound of ballast that leads to an old rusty farm gate with a cliff behind it:








The control box:



Looking towards Melbourne:


Looking towards Ballarat:


Some of the scenic views from the crossing:

chris96 wrote:Anyone remember this video?


Well I think I've found this crossing's Australian cousin! Could this be the safest grade crossing in Australia? It is located just out of Bacchus Marsh on the Ballarat line:

Probably is...

Although, the only way to make sure it is the safest crossing in Australia is to put boom gates at it!

By the way, here's the crossing in Street View for those who have trouble finding it.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.680 ... 312!8i6656

Back in 2009, the crossing had a WCH m-bell.
https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-37.680 ... 312!8i6656