Full Upgrade Process; Gateless to Gated | Belgrave-Gembrook Road Level Crossing, Gembrook

Hey guys!
On Monday the 13th May 2024, the gateless level crossing at Belgrave-Gembrook Road in Gembrook was scheduled to have brand new gated signals installed, adding another gated crossing to the line.
This meant the old signals would be removed while new ones put together and installed, tested and commissioned all on the one day.

Making my way from Wallan early in the morning I got to Gembrook at about 9:25, and they had already taken off the signage and lights on the bell signal. It wasnt long after when the V/Line truck arrived carrying the new level crossing equipment, and then it all started happening.

As nobody really reads the descriptions, I'll write the key events rather than descriptive paragraphs.

They started by unloading majority of the smaller equipment from the truck, gates, lights, signs. Following that, the V/Line crew prepared the crane on the back of the truck to remove the old bell signal, lying it down on the ground. They then craned off the new signal poles, and put the old bell signal onto the truck. While this was happening, the new signage, bell, and lights were being attached to the new pole.
The signal was then craned into the air and onto the base, shaping the first 3rd of the upgrade. The gate mechanism followed that, being craned onto the pole ready for wiring.
The next major point of interest was the gateless signal being fitted with its equipment and craned up into the air onto its base. While this happened the other gated signal was fitted with equipment, and light testing was carried out too.
After that, the old southern gateless signal was removed and craned onto the truck. They then began the precarious task of lifting the new signal onto its base without hitting the tree. Which was done perfectly.
The gate mechanism was installed, wired up and fitted the same as the previous.
A few minor tests of the gates followed, before they began to pack up with the accomplishment of the day completed.

Thanks to all the friendly crew at V/Line who were there as well as the few Puffing Billy staff onsite as well. I'm grateful for the conversations I had with a few of the crew, as it made the day even better!
Meeting the man who designed the massive crossing at Menzies Creek as well was an honour. Truely magnificent crossing!

Timestamps:
0:00 Quick shot of the last activation of the gateless signals (credit ‪@TazzieTransport‬)
0:10 Quick shot of first full test of gated signals
0:21 (09;31AM) Equipment filled V/Line truck arrives.
0:38 (09;38AM) Unloading truck
1:28 (10;04AM) Removing the old bell signal & pulling new poles off truck
4:31 (10;29AM) The new WCH M bell
4:50 (10;31AM) Old bell signal placed on truck
5:50 (10;57AM) Quick update
6:18 (11;32AM) Quick update #2
6:50 (11;51AM) Installing the new northern signal on its base
8:36 Northern Signal Gate Mechanism Installation
11:45 First Light Testing (Northern Signal
13:00 Second Light Testing (South-eastern Signal)
13:35 Third Light Testing (Eastern Signal)
14:31 Uprighting the gateless signal
17:28 Removing the old southern signal
17:56 ...and putting it on the truck
18:40 Uprighting the southern signal
21:13 Southern signal gate mechanism installation
22:44 PBR ute with some of the old equipment
22:52 And the V/Line truck with the poles
23:13 Northern side gate installation
24:19 Counterweight installation
25:52 First powered lowering test
26:20 First bell test
26:48 First under-power raising test
27:09 Southern side gate installation
28:00 Testing with lights, plus lowering & rising gate
28:26 First full crossing test
29:04 Crossing test again for photos & final checks
29:43 Outro (ig?)

Thank you for watching and reading (if you did!)
-Ethan

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