Willett Street, Memphis, TN

[freebrickproductions]

*originally recorded on 6-10-21*

Signal on the left: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x20 inch lights, a Safetran gate mechanism, and NEG LED gate lights.
Signal on the right: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x20 inch lights, a WCH mechanical bell, a US&S Model 95 gate mechanism, RECO LED gate lights, and an NEG LED gate light.

After documenting those three abandoned crossings, I hopped down to the BNSF Thayer South Subdivision to film this one in action. I thankfully didn't have to wait too long after getting set-up here and documenting this crossing as only about 10 minutes after I got here, this southbound intermodal train came through with an H3 ES44AC leading an H2 Dash-9 and an H3 ET44C4.

This crossing is quite a nice one, and probably the best one on the BNSF in Memphis. The signals here are an old Frisco-era WABCO install from the 1970s, though I don't know if the WCH bell here is original to the signal or if it was installed by the BN in the 80s, but either way, it's certainly no newer than then. Then, in the late-80s/early-90s, the BN replaced all of the lights here with the current Safetran 12x20s, followed by the original WABCO Model 75 gate mech on the far signal getting replaced with the current Safetran one in the mid-90s. Finally, in the late-90s/2000s, BNSF replaced the original WABCO Model 75 gate mech on the closer with the current US&S Model 95 gate mech.
Since then, thankfully no major changes have occured to this crossing, and it retains quite a neat mix of older equipment. This crossing has the last mechanical bell on an active BNSF crossing in Tennessee, which is quite neat to see it still sounds quite healthy. Amazingly enough, the crossing still retains the old Frisco/BN bell sequence, with the bell shutting off while the gates are down and then ringing again as they rise. I'm guessing this is how this crossing's managed to retain this older WCH bell for all these years, as it isn't operating as much as a bell would typically do otherwise on a BNSF line. In fact, as you can see, the nearby South Parkway crossing has the typical BNSF bell sequence of ringing until the gates rise. This is certainly quite a neat old install though, and I'm glad I was able to record it in action.

[freebrickproductions]

*originally recorded on 9-17-25*

Signal on the left: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x20 inch lights, a Safetran gate mechanism, and NEG LED gate lights.
Signal on the right: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x20 inch lights, a WCH mechanical bell, a US&S Model 95 gate mechanism, NEG LED gate lights, and a RECO LED gate light.

After catching the southbound CN coal train, I made my way over to this crossing, just to see if I could get at least one more train before it got too dark. Thankfully, I wound-up getting here right about sunset, and there was already a northbound lined through the control point to the north, so I get set-up and recording. After a bit of waiting, I was able to catch my sixth train of the day: a short northbound BNSF mixed freight with a BNSF ES44AC leading a BNSF ES44C4 for power.
While the northbound was approaching, I also started hearing a K5LA blowing at the crossing to my north, so I hoped I'd get a meet at this crossing. Unfortunately, the southbound was rolling rather slow on approach to this crossing, so the northbound cleared it and the signals were able to deactivate for close to 36 seconds before reactivating for the southbound. The train certainly took its sweet time approaching though, and, over two minutes later, I was able to catch my seventh and final train of the day: a southbound BNSF mixed freight with an NS Dash-9 leading a BNSF ES44DC, another BNSF ES44C4, a BNSF Dash-9, and an NS AC44C6M for power! Definitely a great train to end off my day with, and easily my second favorite catch of the day. After this, I hopped back in my car and drove all the way back to Huntsville.

Thankfully, this crossing has barely changed since I last recorded it back in 2021, which is great to see. In fact, really the only notable change to this crossing since then was that the closer signal had its tip gate light replaced with another NEG LED gate light. Thankfully, this crossing still retains its old Frisco bell sequence, which is nice to see. Even better, of course, is that this crossing still retains its old 1st Gen WCH mechanical bell! Sadly, this bell does sound a bit more tired from when I'd last recorded it (mainly in that it clicks a bit more when starting), but, thankfully, it still sounds fairly healthy and strong. Hopefully it remains here for many more years to come, but, either way, I'm glad I was able to film it in action at least a few more times now.

https://www.rxrsignals.com/Tennessee/G- ... s/Willett/