Re: [VIC] Hurstbridge line, working museum?

[Craig Haber <albatross@harnessnet.com.au>]

Hi,

Sam Eades wrote:

> Who would have thought in 2000, that such antiquities would still
> survive like those on the Hurstbridge line! The further you go on the
> Hurstbridge line, the further back in time you seem to go!

And we regulars like it just the way it is!  Unfortunately, it's been
modernised somewhat in the last decade......

> After leaving the METROL operated Clifton Hillthings are pretty much

Clifton Hill was resignalled several years back.  Question - the down
departure signal on the "down" (I use inverted commas, because it is
signalled for 2 way operation, but is normally the down platform) is one of
the older white painted posts, while all the others are newer unpainted
posts.  When CH had boxed A and B and 2 pos signalling, was this departure
signal in place?

> standard (apart from the short section of single line at Rosanna,
> operated under that curious safeworking system of "Yard limits")

Heidelberg lost it's 2 pos semaphores maybe 5 years ago? except for the
discs in the cutting at the up end facing down trains.  The mechanical frame
is still in use (not for long), the siding was recently removed.

> until
> you arrive at Greensborough.

> This is where things get interesting: the ritual of the signaller
> rushing out and giving the staff (which (s)he has just withdrawn from
> the electric staff instrument ) to the driver. The driver the has
> permission to start travelling further back into time, with 2 position
> signals.

2 pos colour lights.

> At Eltham, an even older system will take over, staff and ticket. Not
> only that, but Eltham is completely controlled by 2 position Semaphore
> signals, as well as mechanical points!

Some semaphores (the up and down arrival homes) were replaced with colour
lights some years ago.  The home departures from the platforms were still
lit by kero at that stage - is this still the case?

> After eltham, we come to Diamond Creek, this is about as far back in
> time as Safety will allow us to travel as we approach a Non interlocked
> station. Yes, that's right, in 2000, we have come from LED signals to a
> non interlocked station, complete with plunger locked points, all on our
> commute into Hurstbridge!

Would Diamond Creek and Winchelsea be the last of these non-interlocked
crossing stations in Victoria??

> This line is often taken for granted, but long may this extrmely safe,
> reliable system go on (how long has it been since there was an incident
> involving 2 trains on this line?)! All we need to do is restore a
> red-rattler to run regular service with!

A red-rattler graced the line (as far as Greensborough) on Fri 28/1.

Cheers,
Craig.
--
Craig Haber
albatross@harnessnet.com.au
http://www.harnessnet.com.au/ch/
Proofread carefully to see if you any words out