The Brand New East Farleigh Level Crossing (First Day of Operation)
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- Опубликовано: 24 фев 2019
- The NEW UPGRADE of East Farleigh Level Crossing in Kent on its FIRST DAY of operation (Monday 25th February 2019). The level crossing was previously manually gated.
Location: Farleigh Lane, East Farleigh
Date Filmed: 25-02-2019
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Trains:
Class 466 (Southeastern)
The road was closed for 10 days to upgrade the whole level crossing, including changing the warning lights (plus adding a new pedestrian light), installing four new barriers, two new alarms as-well as a new 'pedestal' and emergency crossing controls.
The upgrade isn't fully complete as there is fencing which needs to be installed and extra signage (such as level crossing information signs - currently laminated paper).
The level crossing is surprisingly still operated from the outside the signal box with a full crossing control unit. It is locked with a key which the signalman must open. Bleeps can be heard once the level crossing is lowered which is from this control unit.
I believe that this is the first footage of this new crossing filmed on its first day of operation.
Thanks For Watching! 
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I was a signalman here in the mid to late 80s and it was a fantastic box to work at. The crossing (as can be seen) is 3/4 of the way down a steep hill and also almost on a blind bend. There was often close calls with cars speeding down to jump the gates being shut in front of them. The old gates were two double length gates not four smaller gates so although technically less work, were heavy old things to close, but you got used to them.
I believe that what speeded up them being changed was several years ago, a signalman was badly injured when a car failed to stop and hit the gates sending him flying.
Ah that's interesting. I heard about that awful incident with the signalman here. I guess that's why the upgrade finally happened here.
It may was alot classic and charming before replacement. I really like how it is refitted in the landscape. It just looks so ... British if that is a way of saying it :) and the sound of the train when it took of was amazing. why haven't I heard the 466 before!
I agree. The surrounding landscape hasn't been spoiled as such and the new crossing looks really nice. I do love the 466 motor sound too 😎👌
@@UKLevelCrossingsChannel l nnnnnl
@@UKLevelCrossingsChannel I call the 466 the F1 train XD
Great video! Love the new signals there, especially with the thin wigwag and the pedestrian light! Interesting to see that they put in four gates there rather than just two long ones.
Thank you mate 😎 I honestly thought only 2 barriers were going in but it turns out 4 can still fit lol 😊 And yeah, the narrow light and ped light is a nice touch 👌
East Farleigh crossing looks like a model railway diorama, it's gorgeous.
Yeah it's in a very nice setting too 😎
Now that looks pretty impressive! It certainly does sound like Blakedown L/C in Worcestershire! I like how the signaller still goes outside the box to operate it! Great video! R.I.P the old crossing though.
Yeah definitely. Very nice to watch and film. The narrow warning light and pedestrian light is definitely a nice touch 👌😌😁
Great video! RIP the manual barriers, though I like the thin wigwag and the LED pedestrian lights.
Thanks! 😎 Yeah I defo like the narrow lights and ped lights 👍
Right next to the Medway.
And don't you just love the sound of a Networker starting away?
Oh yeah, I love the sound of the 466 departing 😎😁
I have no idea about the 466 trains because i live no where near where they are operated so correct me if i am wrong but they sound so similar to the victoria line 2008 stock trains on the underground. Not sure if they have the same engine but i love the sound too
The 365’s sound better
Glad to see it rebuilt. I'll go and visit that one day. Although the old barriers will have to be missed. 😢
I don't mind too much the gates are gone as the crossing is now considerably safer than it was previously.
true
very nice Crossing! Great Video!
Thanks very much 😁
The pedestal is outside the signal box as the Signaller can see the entire crossing from inside, this is a permanent feature. There is a second internal control point for raising the barriers. All full-barrier crossings have 4 barriers ideally to stop users getting trapped (the exit barriers come down second). Using 2 barriers is non -referred and only used where 4 barriers will not fit.
The lights have been reused, but the portrait one is new. Fencing and signage will be completed over the next few weeks.
The trespass guards are GRP (Fiberglass).
The crossing operating could be interfaced with lights on the bridge if this is ever done in the future.
I hope the above is of interest
Awesome. Thanks for the information 😎👍
I sausage fingered the above. External control point is there as the Signaller CAN'T see the crossing from inside.
That's alright, knew what you meant anyway
Nice video on a nice sunny evening
Thanks! 😎
Wow, that looks very impressive, the thin wigwag and the pedestrian light is a nice touch too! Interesting how it’s still operated from outside the signal box, I wonder why they did that? Nice video btw! 😁👍
It does indeed! It's great there's a narrow light plus a pedestrian light too as there's very few crossings with ped lights in Kent. The previous lights were turned on and off with a switch outside the signal-box and it seems the crossing control unit was easier to place outside than inside the signal box. Thanks very much Will 😁
Impressive I love this
Thanks 😁
Great video
Thanks! 😃
Sounds a wee bit like Kingsmoss West/Sallybush level crossing in between Ballyrobert and Mossley Co Antrim
Wow 2 small spx barriers and new lights well some are new but still this is a good upgrade 😎
Yeah it is indeed 😎👌
Very good it's looking very smart. Seems that its not linked to the local signaling centre hence why the signal man has to come out and use the emergency pedestal to control the it.
It does look very nice. It appears the signal boxes at Wateringbury and here are remaining in-situ for now, along with all the other signal boxes on this line.
We saw this in your level crossing 2019 video
It seems a bit like Brandon where the barriers also come down ages before a train that then stops in the station platform before the crossing, causing long queues of traffic
The staggered platforms and one-way bridge here don't help - and this road can get quite busy.
Nice vid, I was there two years ago at the scout campsite, but unfortunately i was to busy with leading the kids😂 i only saw the crossing ones, but I was driving 😞😋
Thank you 😎
Good to see all lights synced properly with this upgrade.. better than the new Norfolk ones atm lol!
Yeah I know haha. I think different companies install different crossings to Network Rail's standard, just some are done slightly differently. I like how they changed this crossing from gates to what it is now.
I've watched this vid more than once. It's very good. Shame that the old LC gates are no longer with us
Probably on Ebay now.
Never thought I'd see my local line on RUclips
I've filmed on this line loads of times at Aylesford, Wateringbury, Yalding, Snodland and Cuxton.
Nice video! The shiny new upgrade is nice, but I'm a philistine and prefer old stuff! Loving the sound of the 466 - electric power doesn't have to mean rubbish sounds!
Thanks! 😎 I don't mind too much the gates are gone to be honest. I too love the motor sound of the 466 - glad I saw one running during peak 😁
James Torson You say “philistine,” I say “old school!” Either way, there’s something to be said for the old ways. However, that doesn’t mean that one can’t modernize without keeping a touch of the old style too and this crossing manages to do just that!
Nice!
Thanks Harry 😉
Lived there in 69...Ireland.
Hi! Very nice and interesting video! New subscriber. Greetings from Italy. Stefano.
Thanks for watching - greetings from the UK 😁
Whilst the crossing for me has lost a lot of its charm, the surrounding landscape helps retain my interest in the crossing. There are also two further points of interest to note. Firstly the signaller is using the lockout device rather than a console inside the signalbox; purposely or is the console yet to be commissioned? Secondly, the barrier machines and their respective protective cages seem awfully close to the running lanes; the contractor seems to think so too judging by the hastily tacked on object marker board. Oh and of course needless to say but I shall anyway, another great video UKLCC!
Thanks very much! I believe the device outside the signalbox has purposely been made to control the crossing. I don't believe the signal box is being removed anytime soon. And yes you're right, the barriers do seem close to the road. The uneven sloping terrain doesn't help. A traffic cone is also alerting drivers of the slight obstruction in the road. The cage might be shifted although I'm not too sure.
Ghost trains and toffee-nosed _anglais_ .. go figure .. .. . .
Dont quote me on this, but i think to get the crossing RC it would require complete resignalling of the Medway Valley Line to Ashford Rail Operating Centre. Considering as it was only done relatively recently in 2005 (rip semaphores, i still miss you!) it will be a while before the signals will need refurbishing again. At a guess i think your look at around 2030.
Oh so the whole line was resignalled in 2005? In that case the boxes might be staying for a while then.
@@UKLevelCrossingsChannel I can't imagine they would go to the trouble and cost of upgrading the level crossing to barriers unless there were plans to at some point remove the crossing keepers/signallers.
new looks ok
Nice
Thanks 😊
Ooh noice! Interesting decision to make it four tiny barriers rather than two long ones. I'm guessing this manual operation is temporary? (it's operated like the old MCB at Sherborne was).
Its interesting how they managed to fit four with the sloping terrain although the smallest barrier cage partly sticks out into the road. I'm not sure if the manual operation is temporary as I don't believe neither Wateringbury's or East Farleigh's signal boxes are going soon.
Looks like my friend karlous13-Railway had lucky with recording of this crossing.
Yes he did! This level crossing was due for an upgrade not long after he visited 😎
I wonder what the new barriers mean for the lovely old signal box?
Far too many signal boxes have already gone.
Unfortunately this box will probably go eventually, with control moving to some signalling centre somewhere 😏
I think that since it is a railway crossing controlled by the service, he could wait until the train would give a sign for departure and then close the passage.
Crossings are controlled a little different in the UK. Here, the crossing must be lowered before the trains arrive at the station. Its to do with the signals and making sure the crossing is clear of any obstruction.
UK Level Crossings Channel Yes I now, in Poland we have the same rules. This is only concept which Can make better cars flow via crossing :-)
But then they have to replace them don't they
Though they look brilliant
Who knew you could get attached to some pieces of wood? It looks so... barren without them :(
Of course East Farliegh river bridge would be a pain to deal with but i still kinda wish they had widened the road. Would make traffic flow a lot easier.
Good video dude :)
Each of these manual gated crossings seem to carry a bit of history with them since they've existed for over a century. Yeah the road is still quite narrow and one of the barrier cages partially sticks out into the road. Thanks 😎
Shame the old crossing has gone but I guess it was inevitably going to happen. I wonder why NR contracted the upgrade out and not done the work themselves?
It was a necessary upgrade as the original crossing had become a safety concern. I don't actually know the answer to that question. I would assume it would be better to contract a company with their own workers to upgrade the crossing instead of NR doing it themselves.
A lot of crossings that are upgraded are carried out by different contractors. The ones I’m aware of are Atkins, Amey, Bombardier, Siemens and Signalling Solutions Ltd. There’s probably a few more but those are all that have come to my mind.
a question for folk who know trains better than i do: do es it take longer at crossing stops to wait for trains to pass through in the UK than in Canada? I timed several at over 3 minutes, and that does seem an excessive amount of time to wait?
In the UK, full barrier crossings like these usually have a longer wait than most European and other worldwide crossings. This is because, for these crossings, the trains are only allowed to proceed once the signalman operating has confirmed the crossing is clear. Therefore, it can take a few minutes for a train to pass the crossing. Crossings with half barriers and without barriers are fully automatic, and will activate with around 30 seconds to one minute of the train passing. I hope this helps 😊
Looks good! Way better than the old crossing
Yeah exactly what I thought. A much needed system as-well. I prefer this to Wateringbury though 😊
was this taken in the morning or evening? that sun is nice
Early evening in February 😎
Looks much better now with the 4 barriers. Where it says warning live rails. Are the rails actually electric?
Yes. In the south-east and west there are third rails (an electrified rail line) which a train is attached to and receives power from.
@@UKLevelCrossingsChannel ah nice. I never knew that
This sounds like Metheringham station Level Crossing in Lincolnshire
Yeah it kind of does
@@UKLevelCrossingsChannel ikr
That road poses a huge risk of grounding for any long vehicles.
Yeah that's why HGVs can't use in this road because of the narrow bridge over the river and steep inclines.
7:53 stepford county railway
Nice!!!
Thank you! 😁
@@UKLevelCrossingsChannel Have you ever been trainspotting in Devon? Do you know what train operators run from Devon?
Yeah, there's a few videos already public on my channel of trains and crossings in Devon. Great Western Railway (GWR) are the main operator in Devon.
@@UKLevelCrossingsChannel Do Cross country operate?
I think so in some parts of Devon
Never seen metal anti-trespass guide before
They've been appearing at newly renewed crossings recently. They certainly look better than the wooden guides and rubber spikes.
Happy st Patrick's day 17.3.19
☘️🇮🇪🇮🇪☘️
What camera gear do you use?
I film on a OnePlus 6 smartphone. I don't use any tripods or stabilisation devices.
Looks a bit unfinished doesn't it? No adequate fencing, temporary (and ugly) obstacle sign on one barrier, and no solving of the traffic problem caused by the bridge! All they need to do is add the fences and subsigns, move the pavement a bit in front of that barrier cage and add linked traffic lights.
Yes, it is rather. Some fencing missing, laminated paper signs and indeed the bridge still has no clear control system in place. And yes, the barrier cage of the smallest barrier sticks out into the road. In a few weeks I'm sure these things will be sorted.
Amazing Railroad crossing.
I definitely agree 😁
Wats the beep at the end when the barriers are lowerd
It is coming from the level crossing control box. It beeps when all barriers have fully lowered and stops sounding when the signaller presses the button confirming the crossing is clear and trains can proceed.
Ah yes I can see
Hi can you go to an abandoned level crossing in Heathrow
Whereabouts is it?
So what ends up happening to the person who manually activated the crossing? Are they just put out of a job?
This crossing is still manually controlled, just from outside the signal box at the moment. I assume this crossing will become remotely controlled via CCTV at a signal control centre in the future, but what will happen to the signalman role here I don't know.
why the beep beep when the barriers go down?
It's the level crossing controls, which are located outside whilst this crossing is still controlled from the signal box. Once the barriers are lowered, a beeping sound is made until the "Crossing Clear" button is pressed to allow the signals to clear and train proceed
Was that snow?
I think it was a light frost as it was quite cold on this day.
Rip old Barriers
Yeah they've been here for ages
press F to pay wigwag respects
Who fabricated the 4 barriers with the skirt and lights??
These barriers are manufactured by SPX Rail Systems. Almost all barriers at UK crossings have skirts apart from at half barrier crossings.
@@UKLevelCrossingsChannel Thanks for the answer mate! I see but the skirts are manufactured by SPX or other small company? Do you have any blog with more curiosities about LC? I would appreciate to join!
That road looks a bit bumpy.
Yeah, the level crossing has quite a sloped terrain on both sides. Makes it quite unique.
Ya think the gates went down early enough?
Yeah the crossing has to be closed in advance here
@@UKLevelCrossingsChannel Obviously! But it's 2 WHOLE MINUTES from the time the gates go down until a train is in sight.
The staggered platforms here don't help
That's a real shame, I liked it where it was just wig wags and manual gate, gave it its own uniqueness and character, now its just any old level crossing :/
Yeah - it was going to happen at somepoint. Cuxton is the only one left on this line with gates now.
R.I.P AOCR+G crossing, hello MCB crossing
It was never an AOCR+G crossing to start with. The lights were manually turned on and off by the signalman, so therefore it still remained an MG before it's upgrade to MCB.
@@UKLevelCrossingsChannel you get the idea, it had LEDS, and gates, so it’s technically an AOCR+G, if you know what I’m saying.
@@TheosTrainsWalesOfficial Well no, it was technically not. The gates were manually pushed shut and were never automatic. It is also locally monitored and controlled from the signal box so it wasn't (and still isn't) remotely monitored. Therefore you can't say it's an AOCR. It was an MG and now an MCB.
I may have accidentally deleted my Comment on me going on about how I'll miss the old level crossing
Whoops! 😖
Don't worry about it, I read it 😉
Looks very... Well get new.... lol
Well yes, the equipment has been installed like a few days ago 😃
England
First
So some poor bloke just got put out of a job
Not at the moment - the signal box is currently still in use, and the signalman operates the crossing via a control cabinet in front of the signal box