Historical information

Train Destination Disc
Until the 1980s Melbourne suburban trains used a system of discs by day, and illuminated market lights by night, to indicate their destination.
Placed on the front of trains to advise a Signalman in the Signal Box the destination of the train.

This disk was used on NK1 the Whitfield Motor when it was used by Puffing Billy Railway

Info from the diagrams from the 1953 Victorian Railways General Appendix.
Black + is Lilydale, Belgrave

other Destination Disks were
Disks

Williamstown Black II

Newport Workshops Red = Changed in 76 to Black +

Newport-Altona shuttle Red X

Werribee Red X
St Albans Black X
Upfield Black =
Broadmeadows Originally Red X changed in 1976 to Red =
Epping Black II
Hurstbridge Red X
Lilydale, Belgrave Black +
Alamein Black X
Glen Waverley Black =
Dandenong Black II
Frankston Red =
Sandringham Red X
St Kilda Originally Black II changed in 1976 to Red X
Port Melbourne Red X changed in 1976 to Black X
Flinders St - Spencer St Local Red II

Showgrounds Red = plus extra white disk on opposite front disk bracket;
if only one event, Display Large White 1 and yellow side disk with set number. If two events, second event special trains flip this disk and show large Black Disk with white numeral 2

Race Special Red = plus extra white disk on opposite front disk bracket;
if only one event, Display Large White 1 and yellow side disk with set number. If two events, second event special trains flip this disk and show large Black Disk with white numeral 2
For example, Flemington Race trains and Caulfield Race trains on the same day.
Flemington carries Red = and White 1 and yellow set number on the side
Caulfield carries Red = and Black 2 with yellow set number disc on the side.

There was one disc which was never to be used in normal traffic, that was the "Red Cross"; it was reserved for Red Cross trains only.

Significance

Historic - Victorian Railways - Destination Disk - Black cross - Lilydale, Belgrave Lines
This disk was used on NK1 the Whitfield Motor when it was used by Puffing Billy Railway

Physical description

Train Destination Disc
Round tin sign painted white with a black cross on white background and a mounting bracket on the rear. Placed on the front of trains prior to the mid 1970s to advise a Signalman in the Signal Box the destination of the train.

Inscriptions & markings

Black Cross