Level Crossing, Illabo (Olympic Hwy) NSW, Part 2.

The first activation is shown at 0:27
Part 1 of this crossing can be seen here • Level Crossing, Illabo...
This is the Olympic Highway level crossing at Illabo, New South Wales. It is located between Cootamundra and Junee, on the ARTC main line from Sydney to Melbourne.
I first filmed here in 2017 and the crossing has remained unchanged until recently when the dying Westinghouse hybrid bell on the eastern signal was replaced by a new Siemens electronic bell. The Western Cullen Hayes mechanical bell on the opposite signal also received some maintenance and has been rotated 90 degrees to face the oncoming traffic.
Train information:
1st train: filmed on July 10, 2022. Filmed with Tazzie Transport / @tazzietransport
2nd train: 3WM7 Qube steel from Port Kembla to Melbourne, with locomotives QL012, QL015 and QL009. Filmed on August 30, 2023.

[@JRussellProductions]

Welcome back to Southern NSW Michael. :) Good video of Illabo mate. R.I.P. to the Westinghouse Hybrid Bell there. Glad thew Western Cullen Hays Mechanical Bells still in tact. Looks like they rotated it 90 degrees to face the front rather than the road side.

[@jacktherailwayenthusiast3343]

Great video Michael, it’s sad that the Westinghouse hybrid bell is gone now.

[@McKHAust]

Thanks Jack!

[@TheBCRailfan]

Great video and crossing! A shame the Hybrid was replaced, but glad the WCH bell and the old GRS/WRRS Type D gate mech remains!

[@trainman758]

Great video! It’s very disappointing the Main South is increasingly gaining more Type 3s:(

[@McKHAust]

Thanks! Certainly is sad to see another m-bell gone although I'm happy they didn't replace the WCH.

[@TrickyMario7654]

Considering the gate on the eastern signal would bonk the hybrid bell when the gate rose, I'm not too surprised to see it get replaced, though it was still there in October last year when me and my dad went on holiday to Bathurst. And as I discovered years ago, the eastern gated signal which replaced the original one after that messy 2006 crossing accident did indeed come from the former "Five Mates Crossing" south of Georgery.

[@McKHAust]

it was a first generation hybrid bell and probably 35 years old at least, no surprises that it died. It's been sounding weak for quite some time, it actually replaced the WCH m-bell which was on the signal when it came from Gerogery.

[@TrickyMario7654]

@@McKHAust As I mentioned before, the hybrid had been here since at least 2012. Also, did you ever notice the old approach road to the crossing on the western side is still visible? I noticed it as we drove back from Bathurst and I’m amazed it’s still somewhat intact.

[@McKHAust]

@@TrickyMario7654 Yes I've seen the old road approach, certainly would have been a sharp bend. Last year they lowered the speed limit approaching the crossing to 60, it used to be 100 all the way through there. Really surprised those signals haven't suffered the massive amount of vehicle strikes as Tanyinna has.

[@TrickyMario7654]

@@McKHAust I guess people are more cautious at this crossing compared to Tanyinna. When do you think that previous alignment was abandoned? I think lowering the speed limit to 60 was a good idea, it will certainly reduce the chances of having a repeat of the 2006 accident happening all over again.

[@AustralianRailamedia7]

Great & intersting combo. Sad to see a m bell go but at least not both of them..yet

[@McKHAust]

Thanks, agreed!

[@AustralianRailamedia7]

@@McKHAustI know you’ve probably heard this a million times but, how do you know when the trains arrive/depart? Thanks

[@ethansNZtrains]

Great video! Sad to see the Westinghouse hybrid got replaced:( By the way, do you know the private level crossing that I'm pretty sure I remember you filming on the Brooklyn Dam Trail in Cowan? Because if so where did that video go? Because I REALLY need to see that video again- Thanks!

[@McKHAust]

Thanks! I never actually filmed that crossing at Brooklyn, was going to but then the mechanical bell was replaced by an e-bell and I lost interest

[@ethansNZtrains]

@@McKHAust It did?! That's a shame, it's all good! Keep it up!

[@anthonynal]

Sounds like Amtrak but is low pitch

[@anthonynal]

Sounds like USA