Roy Long Road, Athens, AL

[freebrickproductions]

*originally recorded on 10-3-18*

Signal on the left: 2 pairs of WCH 12x24 inch lights with Leotek EV Series LEDs, an NEG electronic bell, a "Safetran" (Siemens) gate mechanism, and NEG LED gate lights.
Signal on the right: 2 pairs of WCH 12x24 inch lights with Leotek EV Series LEDs, an NEG electronic bell, a "Safetran" (Siemens) gate mechanism, and NEG LED gate lights.

This crossing here features a pair of rather new signals, having been installed to replace a pair of crossbucks either late last year or earlier this year. The signals feature gate mechanisms with Safetran's logo on them, a bit weirdly enough, though there seems to be a slight debate over whether these ones (and similar ones) were reused by the railroads, refurbished ones, or brand new ones with reused covers. Personally, I'm almost certain that these are brand new Siemens S-60s with reused Safetran covers on them, likely done when Siemens was redesigning the standard cover for their gate mechanisms, for the following reasons:
-The Safetran covers on these gate mechs are noticeably browner (rustier?) than the rest of the gate mechanism, even the part that the mechanism is attached to. If they were reused gate mechs from elsewhere on the railroads, then they would most likely be all the same color.
-The cover is the same design as the last covers that were made with the Safetran branding, prior to Invensys Rail doing away with the Safetran brand in 2011. If they were reused gate mechs from elsewhere on the railroads, then they would most likely feature an older design.
-NS and CSX were both installing these at the same time, and prior to installing these, both railroads were using the Siemens gate mechanisms with the sticker logo. Both railroads also now use Siemens gate mechanisms with the cast-on logo.

Right on the other side of the crossing is one of the sirens in the Brownsferry Nuclear Power Plant warning system, used to alert the public to evacuate in case there's a melt-down or some other serious issue at the plant, as well as general warning about other disasters (such as tornadoes). For those curious, the siren is a Federal Signal 508 siren. These sirens get tested at 9:15 AM on the second Monday of every month (assuming the weather is "good" on that day), so make sure to bring hearing protection should you plan to be out at this crossing around that time.

[freebrickproductions]

No changes here as of 7-15-23:


http://www.rxrsignals.com/Alabama/A-F/Athens/Roy_Long/