Eamon cuts some bolts for the launch tower.
The first activation is shown at 5:40
This is the Taree Rd level crossing at Wingham NSW. It is located on the North Coast line between Newcastle and Brisbane, and is about 12km from Taree. The signals here were installed around 1958, this being one of the first crossings in NSW to receive gates. Although some of the equipment has been renewed, this is most likely the oldest surviving installation in NSW.
Both gated signals have Western Cullen Hayes gate mechanisms which replaced the original WRRS/GRS Type B ones. Some time ago both of the masts were relocated to new foundations, most likely to allow for road widening. One of the original foundations can still be seen on the northern side of the crossing.
The signal on the southern side of the crossing has an unmarked base. The front facing lights were made by Westinghouse and the rear facing lights by McKenzie & Holland. The signal has a Western Cullen Hayes mechanical bell which is the only bell at the crossing. This is unusual as most gated crossings in NSW have 2 bells.
The gated signal on the northern side has a WRRS base. The lights are a mixture of old and newer McKenzie & Holland ones. The signal also has a very old and faded “1 Track” sign which is rare, as crossings with only 1 track normally don’t have a sign.
There is a second signal on the northern side of the crossing to assist with sighting due to the bend in the road. As well as a “1 Track” sign, it has a pair of very old McKenzie & Holland lights which were an earlier design. They can be identified by the hole at the back of the lamp housing which contains a bolt to secure the door.
Train info:
1st train: 2BM4 freight from Brisbane to Melbourne, with locomotives NR63, NR68 and NR76.
2nd train: 2BW4 empty steel from Brisbane to Port Kembla, with locomotives NR57, NR23 and 9302.
3rd train: 2WB3 steel from Port Kembla to Brisbane, with locomotives NR46, NR30 and NR121.
4th train: NT32 XPT service from Brisbane to Sydney.
Filmed on May 2, 2017.