Durden Road, Prattville, AL

[freebrickproductions]

*originally recorded on 6-5-24*

Signal on the left: 1.5 pairs of L&W 8 inch lights, 1 RACO 8 inch light, and a Safetran mechanical bell.
Signal on the right: 2 pairs of L&W 8 inch lights.

After catching the Montgomery siren test on June 5th, I met back-up with CentralALSirens and we went off to get the remaining CSX crossings around Montgomery documented, before getting the remaining crossings along the Autauga Northern documented. As I was documenting a crossing, a hi-rail truck came through patrolling, and the person inside said that there should be a crew should be getting on duty at 6, and would likely be heading north by about 6:30-ish, possibly 7-7:30-ish at the latest. As such, after I got all of the signalized crossings documented, as it was getting close to 6 PM, I decided to set-up at this crossing and wait. Sure enough, just after 6:30, we started hearing the horn of an approaching train, so I quickly got my camera started. Here we were able to catch the Autauga Northern for the first time, with a WATCO GP40-3 leading a WATCO GP35 for power! Interestingly, both locomotives were originally used out on the Pacific Sun Railroad out in California, I'm guessing they got moved here due to that state's new diesel locomotive emissions regulations. The leading locomotive also has a Prime PM920 horn on it, didn't know that there were any here in Alabama! Definitely nice finally being able to catch a Prime horn though, as they're a bit on the rarer side as I understand it.

This crossing is a very nice one, and I'm definitely glad I got to record it. The signals here were originally installed back in the 1970s by the ICG, and haven't changed too much since then. At some point, either the ICG or NS had the right-rear light on the far signal replaced with a reused RACO 8 inch light, but it seems no other changes have occurred to this crossing, thankfully. The Safetran mechanical bell here seems a bit slow to start, but thankfully still sounds fairly healthy. I'm glad I was able to record it regardless, however, as it's the only remaining mechanical bell on the AUT. Hopefully this crossing remains unchanged for many more years to come, but, either way, I'm definitely glad I was finally able to get this one shot.
Interestingly, the AUT is probably the only railroad left in Alabama with more 8 inch crossings than 12 inch crossings. Of the seven signalized crossings along the line, four of them are 8 inch while only three are 12 inch. All of the crossings along the AUT are still incandescent as well, which is neat to see. All but two of them are gateless too.
And, as of June 5th, every crossing in Alabama with at least one 8 inch light at it has now been documented for Mike's Railroad Crossing Website! Interestingly, roughly two thirds of the remaining 78 crossings in the state with at least one 8 inch light are located in the southern half of the state, with the CSX Dothan Sub alone easily accounting for 29 of those crossings.