Traffic Signal Photo Gallery: Vintage Signals: NSW

New South Wales

Photo Gallery

Traffic Signal Photo Gallery:
Vintage Signals: NSW

This gallery concentrates on traffic signals used in the 1970s and earler. Many brands were used by different road maintenance authorities including AWA, Eagle, G&W and many more. Signals prior to the 1970s use glass lenses and reflectors and did not use target boards. Textual pedestrian signals were the norm and in some states these were neon signals not incandescent. Many styles of pedestrian call buttons were also used too, some light up models and some that did not. Setups from state to state varied widely, and in some states a Red & Yellow together phase was used before the green signal was lit.

The first ever signals used in Sydney were at the corner of Kent & Market Streets, and were switched on in 1933.

Click on the images below to see some photos of some installations from New South Wales.

Old 1960s AWA signal
Looking southbound on the corner of Auburn and Montague Streets Goulburn, NSW, this original signal is still in use in April 2006, whilst all but one other signal head has been replaced. Both AWA signals are on yellow posts that have been repainted, indicating that even the posts are original. Both signals are in superb condition with bright lenses (probably glass) and good quality paint on the signal body. Note the gaps between each signal colour. Each lamp has its own separate casing, which is joined to the other colours via a tubular style setup within the signal.

Image © Paul Rands

1950's / 60's Pedestrian Button
This very rare 1950's / 60's pedestrian button in excellent condition was found in 2003 on the New England Highway (NH15) at Glen Innes in New South Wales. The entire crossing (outside a church) had been upgraded to new Aldridge polycarbonate signals and new style call buttons, but they forgot this beauty on the traffic island. The crossing would have orignally been made up of Eagle or AWA stock.

Image © Paul Rands

1960's / 70's Pedestrian Button
Extremely rare button - these were normally illuminated where it reads 'WAIT', but not this one. Taken 2004 on the corner of Dehli Rd, Millwood Ave, Lady Game Dr and Fullers Rd, Chatswood West NSW.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)
Sydway Ref: 256 F4

Old Pedestrian Signal
Becoming increasingly rare, an Eagle pedestrian signal from the 60's or 70's. Taken 2004 on the corner of Blaxland Rd & Church St, Ryde NSW.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)
Sydway Ref: 255 B13

Old Eagle Signal
Old Eagle signals with unusual visor assembly designed to block out sun, it looks like the red lantern has had its on replaced with a standard model. You can see that the older visors "curl" around at the end. Taken 2004 on the corner of Blaxland Rd & Church St (Metroad 3), Ryde NSW.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)
Sydway Ref: 255 B13

Typical 70s Installation
Old 1970's signal installation which is still quite common in NSW. Taken 2004 on the corner of Blaxland Rd & Church St (Metroad 3), Ryde NSW.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)
Sydway Ref: 255 B13

Old Eagle Signals
Found on the corner of North Rocks and Oakes Road in North Rocks in Sydney, these are more than likely to be an original installation of Eagle signals. On the traffic lantern you'll notice the signal has a spacer between each row of light. This is probably to allow a service crew to open the lantern to change bulbs. New signals have doors that can open in opposing directions. Also newer signals have the hinges integrated into the signal frame unlike these old Eagles, they protrude out the sides.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)
Sydway Ref: 233 L14

Retrofitted Signal
Newer halogen signals placed inside a target board for old Eagle signals. Taken January 2004 on the corner of Bridge Street (NR 34) and Ebsworth Street (Old New England Highway) Tamworth, NSW.

Image © Paul Rands

Pedestrian Button Assembly
Typical NSW Pedestrian button decal, instructing users how to get the lights to change. This button is mounted on a short post with the signal mounted on another post. Short posts such as these were phased out of being installed in the 1980s.

Image © Paul Rands

Odd Overhang Signal
Found in Chinatown in Sydney, this signal has a very unusual shaped mast, which is older than the signals mounted to it, possibly from the 1960s.

Image © Paul Rands

Old Eagle Signal
From the late 70s or early 80s, this is a 12 inch Eagle signal on the corner of Epping (State Route 29) & Herring Roads Macquarie Park.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)
Sydway Ref: 235 E19

Old 6 Lamp Eagle Signal
Another old Eagle signal. This time on the corner of Livingstone & Addison Roads, Petersham.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)
Sydway Ref: 296 E12

Old 4 Lamp Eagle Signal
Older signal probably dating to the late 60s. This one was made by the Eagle Signal Co of Australia. Taken on the corner of Church St (Metroad 3) & Junction St, Ryde NSW. This signals has since been replaced.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)
Sydway Ref: 255 A16

Old Pedestrian Lights
With original backboards from the 60s still in use in 2004, very rare find. Taken 2004 looking North on Princes Hwy (State Route 66) at Tempe NSW.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)

Light Up Pedestrian Call Button
These call buttons were introduced in the 1970s and were installed through to the mid 1980s. When the button is pressed, the 'WAIT' light illuminates, indicating the call has been received by the signal controller.

Image © Darren Hodges

Eagle Signallised Crossing
Older signals on a main road in Sydney are becoming very rare. These are mostly Eagles (faded models) and are located on Mona Vale Road (Metroad 3) at St Ives. Note the signal burn-in on the overhang signal.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)
Sydway Ref: 216 L11

Old and New Signals
Recent model Aldridge halogen signal and original 1970's Eagle incandescent signal on the corner of Pacific Highway and Yirra Road, Mt Colah, NSW.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)
Sydway Ref: 195 D13

Old Eagle Signal
Found on the corner of North Rocks and Oakes Road in North Rocks in Sydney. The traffic lantern is probably original, however the pedestrian signal is newer, probably 1990's or this decade.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)
Sydway Ref: 233 L14

Old Eagle Signal
Found 2004 on the corner of North Rocks & Oakes Roads (Westbound), North Rocks in Sydney, these are more than likely to be an original installation. Note the blown signal bulb on the traffic lantern. Also, many old Eagle signals suffer from what these do, faded and flaking paint, as a result they are becoming increasingly rare. Speaking of rare many AWA in signals are long gone because they lacked a target board.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)
Sydway Ref: 233 L14

Old Pedestrian Signal Pole
Taken April 2005 on the corner of James Ruse Drive and Prospect Street near Rosehill Racecourse in Sydney, this image shows an old pedestrian signal instruction sign mounted to an original post (all others are newer) which shows how high the pedestrian buttons would have been mounted.

Image © Paul Rands

Old Eagle Signals
These 1970s signal sets made by the Eagle Signal Company of Australia are still doing their job in 2004.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)

Old Eagle Pedestrian Signal
Next to a 4 lense traffic lantern, this 1970s pedestrian signal made by the Eagle Signal Company of Australia is still doing it's job in 2004.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)

Old Eagle Signal
Taken on the corner of Blaxland Rd & Church St, Ryde NSW, this signal (alongside a newer 1980s lantern) would be about 30 years old and is still in use.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)

Old Eagle Pedestrian Signal
From the 1970s, this signal is still in use in 2004, alongside a current model Aldridge halogen lantern.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)

Typical 1960's / 70's Overhang Installation
Found in many parts of Sydney and other areas of NSW. This set would probably date back to the 60s, however several lanterns have been replaced, although the Eagle signal on the overhang is probably original. Intersection is the corner of Victoria Road and Charles Street (looking Westbound) Ryde NSW.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)
Sydway Ref: 255 F16

Typical 1960's / 70's Overhang Installation
Found in many parts of Sydney and other areas of NSW. Western end of Parramatta Road (State Route 44) at Auburn. Newer signals have, however, been fitted to these posts.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)
Sydway Ref: 273 L7

Typical 1960's / 70's Overhang Installation
Found in many parts of Sydney and other areas of NSW. Corner or Parramatta & Silverwater Roads at Auburn. This set would have probably comprised of AWA or Eagle signals originally. Most lanterns in this image are later ATS or Aldridge stock.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)
Sydway Ref: 273 M8

Typical 1960's / 70's Overhang Installation
Found in many parts of Sydney and other areas of NSW. Attached is a street name sign, these started appearing in the late 90s. This is the corner of Holker Street & Silverwater Road (Metroad 6), Siliverwater. Refitted with Aldridge signals. Installation would date back to the 70s.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)
Sydway Ref: 273 P1

Typical 1960's / 70's Overhang Installation
Found in many parts of Sydney and other areas of NSW. Attached is a street name sign, these started appearing in the late 90s. Taken at Great Western Highway (State Route 44) Wentworthville. Refitted with newer signals, this installation would probably date back to the 70s, with newer ATS signals from the 80s.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)
Sydway Ref: 251 R16

Mecanno Set
This unusual intersection is known as the "Meccano Set" and is the intersection of Hume Highway, Henry Lawson Drive and Woodville Road Lansdowne, near Bankstown in Sydney NSW. This design seems to be the only of its type in Australia and was implemented in December 1962. This photo is looking Southbound and was taken early 2004.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)
Sydway Ref: 292 B9

Typical 1960's / 70's Overhang Installation
Found in many parts of Sydney and other areas of NSW. This set was mid change when photo was taken. Taken mid-cycle at the corner of Woodville Road and Merrylands Road, Guildford. Refitted with newer signals, this installation would probably date back to the 70s.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)
Sydway Ref: 272 M5

1970s Signal Installation
Taken on the corner of the Pacific Highway and College Crescent, Hornsby, NSW, this signal is typical of the ones used in this area at the time. The main road to Brisbane used to pass through this area and many intersections were signalised around the same time as a result.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)
Sydway Ref: 214 Q7

Special Glare Reduction Installation
Taken on the corner of the Pacific Highway (Metroad 1 / State Route 83) and Pennant Hills Road (Metroad 7) intersection at Wahroonga, this signal has been tilted to reduce sunlight reflecting off the signal's reflectors and giving a false colour. Note the old 1970s Eagle pedestrian signal.

Image © Sam Laybutt (ozroads.com.au)
Sydway Ref. 215 C11

1960's Signal
This was a typical signal setup used in the 1960s to highlight a signal using a target boards. This was taken in 1997 on the Pacific Highway, Coffs Harbour. This whole intersection was updated not long after this was taken.

Retrofitted 70's Signal Installation
Typical setup in NSW from the 1970s. This set has been retrofitted either during the 90s or current decade with street sign and Aldridge halogen lanterns.

Typical Pedestrian Call Button Decal in NSW
Found on most pedestrian signals in NSW, this sticker reminds users to press the button to gain a 'Walk' signal. These labels became popular in use throughout NSW in the 1960s.

Eagle Pedestrian Signal
Becoming increasingly rare, an Eagle pedestrian signal from the 60's or 70's.

Typical 1970s Short Overhang Signal Installation
Found in many parts of Sydney and NSW, this was the average setup for short overhang signals. Taken on the corner of Falcon & Alexander Streets, Crows Nest.

Original Eagle 6 Lantern Signal
This Eagle signal was installed when the overpass was built back in 1977, still in service 2004. Note the old signal bracket hanging from bridge, back in the 80s there was a signal on it that had no target board installed on it. Taken looking North on the corner of Lane Cove & Epping Roads, North Ryde.

1950s / 60s Signal Installation
These are probably the oldest signals still in use in Sydney. They are outside the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on Missenden Road in Camperdown and were snapped in April 2005. They use mostly original AWA traffic lanterns. Only one signal is using an early ATS lantern. All the pedestrian signals are 1960s and 70s Eagle signals. Thanks to Sam Laybutt for letting me know about these signals. These signals have since been replaced.

1950s / 60s Signal Installation
Original AWA signal on Missenden Road Camperdown in Sydney, April 2005. Originally these were painted in black and yellow stripes. These signals have since been replaced.

1950s / 60s Signal Installation
Original AWA signal on Missenden Road, Camperdown. You can see the black and yellow striped paint showing on the AWA traffic lantern from the 1950s or 60s. Pedestrian signal is a 1960s or 70s Eagle Model. These signals have since been replaced.

1950s / 60s Signal Installation
Original AWA signal on Missenden Road, Camperdown. The AWA traffic lantern is from the 1950s or 60s. Pedestrian signal is a 1960s Eagle Model using unusual "cut-away" visors.

Very Early Overhang Signals
These would date back to the very early 60s when the then DMR were experimenting with target boards. Back then target boards were only used on overhead signals, and in the case of these posts, were actually part of the post not the signal. These signals have had Aldridge signals installed on them in the last couple of years, but the old target boards still survive. Taken October 2006 on the corner of Grosvenor, Lang and Harrington Streets in the Sydney CBD.

Back of Signal Mast
Photo looking along Grosvenor Street and showing the back of the original target board. This setup was quite common all over the city. October 2006.

Target Board Close Up
As you can see here, the old target board (which is bigger than current ones that are attached to the signals) is actually part of the actual mast. I would say later models were separate as many old posts still remain, but without the target boards. October 2006.