Bellair

(BER)790
This 1960's Layout of Bellair hadn't changed much from the late 1800's, except for the double line end. The station had a mainline and 2 loops, with a goods siding. Van Schoor tablets were in use to Malvern, and Lock & Block to Rossburgh. By 1972 the layout had changed.

By 1972, the Goods Siding was removed to make way for the lengthening & hi raising of the platform to accommodate 11 coach 5M2A sets. Even though the diagram doesn't show the new length of the platform, it was increased up to Starting Signal 23. The Up Facing points had to be moved to outside the station, and the re-naming of the lines in the station, with that, Wrong Road Signals were introduced. The Intermediate Home (31 on the 1960's layout) was removed, and a new Outerhome was added to the existing Distant Signal. This layout remained up until the mid 1980's.

By 1986, C.T.C. was introduced from Rossburgh up to Bellair, with that a few changes were made. Down Distant (1) was made Fixed, The 3 Doll Home signal mast number 28 29 30 was changed to a single mast, 2 Permanent red colour light signals were placed on the Cato Ridge No.1 Main in the Up direction. Advance Starter Signal number 24 was replaced with a Colour light, and a New Advance Starter (15) on the Cato Ridge No.2 Main was installed. Also a small Siemens Block Panel was installed next to the lever frame interlocked to set & cancel route directions on No.1 & No.2 lines. Outerhome (31) & Distant (32) [on the 1970's layout] were removed and replaced by a Intermediate Home signal once again, but reusing the same signal mast. In the early 2000's, 3 Doll Home Signal mast 3 4 & 5 was blown over in the wind, and a single mast was installed that was recovered from the recently closed Sarnia station.
By 2015, a New Signalling project was on the go to convert the Old Main Line up to Pinetown to C.T.C. The Loop & Dead end was removed, as well as points 10 & 19, with that Signal 5 & 28 being fixed. In October 2017, heavy floods hit the region and washed away the No.1 line between Sea View and Rossburgh. From then all trains could only use the No.2 line, with Suburban trains crossing each other at either Dalbridge or Malvern. Written Authorities were in use to pass Starting Signal 23 at Danger and cross over to the No.2 Line up till Advance Starting Signal 15. This was the practice up until 15 December 2017, when Bellair finally closed & the new C.T.C. was commissioned.

Bellair's Lever frame & Block in 2005.Photo © G. Hart.

BER Intermediate Home No.31.Photo © G. Hart.

BER Home Signals No.28.29.30.Photo © G. Hart.

BER Home Signals No.3.4.5.Photo © G. Hart.