RE: V-set emu (NSW, from Jeff)

Adamstown signal box was decommissioned several years ago when the RailCorp signalling control centre at Broadmeadow took over the control of points and signals at Adamstown and Broadmeadow.

This signal box was typical of the 1930s era buildings with standard NSWR built Type A  lever frames which in most cases replaced much older original signal boxes which had McK&H rocker type interlocking.

Level Crossings.

Before the original Admstown signal box was replaced, the level crossing (St James Road) had interlocked swing gates similar to many which were used in Victoria.  There was a design produced in the early thirties for an electric motor drive for the Adamstown swing gates. In principle it would have been rather similar to the present electric powered arrangement used for the Lydiard Street level crossing gates at Ballarat.

The electric drive for Adamstown swing gates was never installed as power operated boom gates were then being widely introduced in NSW. Concurrent with construction of the newer signal box, electric boom gates were provided at Adamstown.  Electric boom gates were also provided at level crossings at Broadmeadow North, Islington Junction and Hamilton. 

Electro-hydraulic boom gates were provided at Broadmeadow North and Woodville Junction. Electro-pneumatic boom gates were provided at Wickham, Civic and Newcastle.  The original compressed air supply for the last three level crossings was provided by tramcar compressors, .powered from the 600 volt DC electric tramway power supply.

In recent years, all the above power operated boom gates have been replaced by standard half boom barriers with flashing light signals.  Level croaainga at Adamstown, Wickham (2) and Civic now have closed circuit television surveillance.

Safe Working

There was once an interesting safe working arrangement at Adamstown signal box. In earlier years when the Belmont branch line was in use, an electric train staff switching system was in use to enable intermediate signal boxes on the branch line to be closed during coal miners' holidays. There were normally several sections using electric train staff working when the branch line was completely in use for coal and passenger traffic. Special "switching locks" were provided to secure the signals and points at signal boxes along the line, and finally an ordinary (manual) staff was released for use by passenger trains on the through section.

Noel Reed. .

Noel Reed.