Comments on: Then, now and in between the Toorak Road level crossing

By: Marcus Wong

Marcus Wong — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 08:05:54 +0000

From this page, which quotes an article written by the late John Sinnatt for Somersault:

http://www.trainweb.org/dansrailpix/WIG_WAG_PAGE6_australia2.htm

Wigwag signal was installed at the Ovens Highway crossing between Gapstead and Myrtleford in 1925/1926, exact date not known.

While “Weekly Notice Extracts 1894-1994” by Alan Jungwirth and Keith Lamber says they were replaced by flashing lights in September 1950.

By: Len Trezise

Len Trezise — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 15:11:10 +0000

I am researching the wigwag warning signal that was installed by Victorian Railways at the Bluebell railway crossing on the former Ovens Valley Highway and Ovens Valley Bright Railway between Myrtleford and Gapsted.
Does anybody know when this wigwag was installed and when it was replaced with flashing red lights?

By: Marcus Wong

Marcus Wong — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 12:14:08 +0000

In reply to Kurt.

Apparently there is only one gas holder left standing in NSW.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/conservation-interiors-southern-gasholder/

By: Marcus Wong

Marcus Wong — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 12:13:30 +0000

In reply to Kurt.

It’s an interesting question.

Perhaps the timing of the rollout of natural gas had something do do with it – in the 1960s historical preservation wasn’t really a thing yet, so since they were now unused and taking up space, nobody cared about them being demolished.

The other is that industrial heritage has had a hard time locally – significant places such as the Morwell Power Station have been recently demolished.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-29/morwell-power-station-demolition-approval-process-concerns/10756124

By: Kurt

Kurt — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 05:31:15 +0000

Is there a reason no decommissioned gasometres have survived in Melbourne compared to the UK where decommissioned gasometres are still abundant and sometimes heritage listed?

By: Marcus Wong

Marcus Wong — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 12:50:09 +0000

In reply to Andrew.

It’s interesting how the Inner Circle was the first line to get active protection – I’m guessing a combination of heavy road traffic increased the risk, but the cost of staffing conventional staffed gates couldn’t be justified for the level of rail traffic.

By: Marcus Wong

Marcus Wong — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 12:48:05 +0000

In reply to Beren. Turns out I have a photo of them. :-P

By: Tom the first and best

Tom the first and best — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 06:02:43 +0000

In reply to Andrew.

I presume the “mechanical interlocked boom gates” installed at McKinnon in the 1920s were European, rather than American, technology. See photo 71-16:

http://www.brownfam.com.au/ROLL71/ROLL71.htm

It is also a pity that we haven`t adopted the British style flashing lights with with a yellow flashing light, rather than the American style red only lights.

By: Beren

Beren — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 23:41:35 +0000

There is still hand gates at Tinning street, Brunswick. They are locked in place and all, but they are still there in position.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 23:17:48 +0000

The first automatic warning systems in Victoria were automatic bells provided at four crossings on the Inner Circle (Royal Park – North Fitzroy) in 1907. These were probably Chicago Bells, made by the Railroad Supply Co of the US.

Automated crossing bells in the US dated back to the late 1870s and were installed as soon as automatic signalling became a thing. They didn’t have a good reputation until around 1900, but after that the technology rapidly improved and they were common products by around 1905. So Victoria wasn’t doing too badly introducing them in 1907.

Except for hand gates and interlocked gates, all road/rail protection in Victoria has been US technology – starting from cattle pits in the 1880s.