Buckhalter Road, near Savannah, GA

[freebrickproductions]

*originally recorded on 6-29-21*

Signal on the left: 2 pairs of WCH 12x24 inch lights with Dialight Low Wattage LEDs, a dying WCH mechanical bell, a Siemens gate mechanism, and NEG LED gate lights.
Signal on the right: 2 pairs of WCH 12x24 inch lights with Dialight Low Wattage LEDs, a dying WCH mechanical bell, a Safetran-branded Siemens gate mechanism, and NEG LED gate lights.

This was the fifth and final train Ethan and I caught with Bishop. It was CSX Q126 leaving Savannah for Memphis, TN with an ET44AH leading an ES40DC on the head-end, and an ES44AH working as the mid-train DPU. After this, we went back to Vidalia to prepare for our trip back to Huntsville, dropping off Bishop back at his house along the way. Was certainly nice getting to spend the day with him though.

This crossing's another nice one, featuring what was originally another Seaboard System install from the 1980s. It appears that these signals were pretty much entirely original up until sometime between 2012 and 2016, when the lights were all upgraded to LED by CSX. Then, sometime around 2016/2017, both of the original WCH gate mechanisms here were replaced with the current Siemens ones. Since then though, thankfully no further major changes have occured here. Unfortunately, both WCH mechanical bells here sound like they might be starting to go on their way out, as they click a few times before they begin to ring. The closer one struggles a bit when the gates start to lower, I believe as a result of the gate mechanism jerking the mast a bit, but it sounds pretty nice otherwise. The other one though is definitely sounding a bit rough unfortunately. Hopefully CSX gives these bells a tune-up and they're able to remain here for a good while longer, but either way, I'm glad I was able to record this crossing when I did.
Believe it or not, this crossing is actually located just outside of Savannah's city limits, though it is located rather close to them.