Information

Mileage:

31 miles 61 chains 15 links

Distance:

50.862 km

Line:

Ballarat

Interlocking Provided:

1890-2005

Box Type:

C1

Interlocking:

McKenzie and Holland No 6 Pattern Frame

Summary

The Bacchus Marsh signal box, opened in 1890, is a notable piece of railway infrastructure, designed by McKenzie & Holland. It shares similarities with UK-built signal boxes from the same era, though it is taller than typical designs, likely to provide a clear view of the station layout. The box originally featured decorative timberwork in the gable ends, a characteristic of many Australian boxes built to McKenzie & Holland’s design, although this feature has been lost in some cases due to repairs or renewals.

The box features a 45-lever McKenzie & Holland frame, using the 1873 patent Cam and Soldier (rocker) interlocking. This lever frame controlled the station layout. Unlike typical UK signal boxes, Bacchus Marsh’s signal box does not display track circuiting on the layout diagram, it instead employs electric lever locks activated through track circuits.

Historically, the station was worked by Electric Staff for some sections, with a miniature electric train staff instrument in use as late as the 1970s for the Parwan section. The signal box diagram is a traditional paper sheet, framed in varnished wood.

In addition to the main control area, a small panel at the rear of the box manages other crossing loops. Notably, one loop is controlled by a separate signal box at Melton, which could be switched out. 

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