Melba Ave/Cave-Hill Rd Level Crossing, Lilydale, Before & After Upgrade

This is the Melba Ave/Cave-Hill Rd level crossing in Lilydale, on the Lilydale line, with footage I took in October 2017, February and November 2019, and March 2023. This crossing is to be closed by 2025, with traffic to be diverted to the nearby John St underpass. A new pedestrian underpass will be built in its place to maintain access to Lilydale High School and shared path trails
In January 2017 and February 2019, this crossing had:
- Two Generals Signals E-Bells. The bell on the western side was not working at this time, although we can be pretty sure it was programmed to sound out after the boom gates have lowered. The bell on the eastern side was programmed to sound continuously until the boom gates rose
- Westinghouse cross-arms. The cross-arm on the north-western side of the crossing is bolted upside down
- A mixture of marked and unmarked Westinghouse lights
- Westinghouse boom gate mechanisms with Westinghouse bases
- Westinghouse pedestrian boom gate mechanisms
By November 2019, this crossing was upgraded to have:
- A new General Signals Type-3 E-Bell replacing the dead bell on the western side. This bell is programmed to sound out after the boom gates have lowered
By March 2023, the crossing was further upgraded to have:
- A new General Signals Type-3 E-Bell replacing the bell on the eastern side, matching the bell on the western side. This bell is programmed to sound continuously after the boom gates have lowered, like the old bell
- Magnetic Autocontrol swing gates with push button release escape exits replacing the old Westinghouse pedestrian boom gate mechanisms. The wiring for the old mechanisms are still in place

[@jacktherailwayenthusiast3343]

Great video Stuart, it’s absolutely stupid that they replaced the pedestrian boom gates when an underpass will be getting built in 2025. Bizarre also that they still haven’t replaced the stolen signage.

[@stuarthunt101]

Thanks Jack :) yeah it's weird

[@therealsammyvee888]

Not sure if I've already asked this previously, so apologies if I have. But can you please do a video of the Richardson St pedestrian crossing in Oakleigh? And maybe also one of the new pedestrian crossing at the rebuilt Montmorency station, along with some other crossings you haven't done yet on the Hurstbridge line. Otherwise, great video as always.

[@stuarthunt101]

Thanks man :) I will eventually, right now my priorities are getting all the crossings at Puffing Billy, which I'm nearly done

[@therealsammyvee888]

​@@stuarthunt101That's all good, you're welcome. Can't wait to see those.

[@joelpackett7582]

The signs have been missing for quite a while now I can only assume they have been stolen and no one has been bothered to replace them

[@stuarthunt101]

How weird

[@user-gk8gg1zt7l]

Nice video. Super .

[@stuarthunt101]

Thanks man :)

[@TazzieT]

It’s interesting what happened to that crossing and how it only has like 2 signs now in total, also cool to see footage before it got any Type 3’s, Great Video!

[@stuarthunt101]

Heh thanks man :)

[@trainman758]

Nice video! Quite an interesting setup. Wonder what happened to the crossbucks? Unfortunately I ran out of time to film this crossing when in Melbourne a few weeks ago.

[@stuarthunt101]

Thanks man. Quite a mystery, and I have no idea why. Ah you've got plenty of time to film it before it gets removed

[@ahsanfayaz4364]

Gosh

[@MrBnsftrain]

I assume the crossbucks were stolen by high school students when the "devious lick" trend was happening in 2021. As you said this crossing was near a high school.

[@stuarthunt101]

Lol maybe

[@ahsanfayaz4364]

This crossing should be removed right guys?

[@TudorCrossings]

nah