Antwerp Avenue #1, Birmingham, AL

[freebrickproductions]

*originally recorded on 6-28-19*

Signal on the left: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x20 inch lights, a General Signals Type 2 electronic bell, a Safetran gate mechanism, and NEG gate lights.
Signal on the right: 3 pairs of Safetran 12x20 inch lights, a Safetran mechanical bell, a Safetran gate mechanism, and RECO gate lights.

The crossing is another rather nice one, and one I had been wanting to get for a little while now. The crossing is an almost-pure 1990s NS install, that hasn't seen many changes to it. In fact, according to Google Street View, back in 2008, this was a pure 90s NS install, with both signals each had a Safetran mechanical bell and the closer signal still had its original NEG gate lights. However, between 2008 and 2012, the Safetran mechanical bell on the far signal was replaced (I'm guessing it died) with the current General Signals Type 2 e-bell. Then, between 2012 and 2017, the closer signal had its NEG gate lights replaced with a set of RECO gate lights. Other than that though, there have pretty much been no major changes here since these signals were put in in the 1990s. In fact, I'm quite glad of that because this crossing has one of the last two mechanical bells left on the NS AGS South between Irondale and downtown Birmingham, AL.

[freebrickproductions]

*originally recorded on 10-19-24*

Signal on the left: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x20 inch lights, a General Signals Type 2 electronic bell, a Safetran gate mechanism, and RECO gate lights.
Signal on the right: 3 pairs of Safetran 12x20 inch lights, a Safetran mechanical bell, a Safetran gate mechanism, and RECO gate lights.

After catching the eastbound mixed freight in Pell City, we stopped by a gas station for a bathroom break and saw Amtrak was already to Birmingham (having gotten there a full 48 minutes early). As we had just enough time to make it to this crossing, I decided to continue on west into Birmingham to catch it, as I wanted to make sure I got it before sunset. After a little bit of waiting, we were able to get our seventh train of the day: Amtrak 20 with an ALC-42 leading a P42DC and another ALC-42 for power! Can't say I'd ever seen a triple-headed Amtrak train like this before.

Thankfully, since I last filmed this crossing back in 2019, barely anything has changed to it. In fact, the only change I noticed was that NS went through and replaced both gate arms with newer ones, along with all of the gate lights being replaced by the current RECO ones. Sadly, the relays were changed and the bells here no long ring when the gates rise, however, though I'm glad to see the classic Safetran mechanical bell on the closer signal is still going strong regardless. Hopefully it'll be here for many more years to come.

http://www.rxrsignals.com/Alabama/A-F/B ... /Antwerp1/