Watkins Street, Ooltewah, TN

[freebrickproductions]

*originally recorded on 10-26-24*

Signal on the left: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x20 inch lights.
Signal on the right: 1.5 pairs of Safetran 12x20 inch lights, 1 Safetran 12x24 inch light, and a General Signals Type 1 electronic bell.

After catching the third northbound mixed freight in a row, I snagged my lunch and went over to this crossing to wait for my next train. After at least an hour of waiting (during which this rain moved in), I was able to get my sixth train of the day: NS 29A with an AC44C6M leading an ES44AC for power.

This crossing is another nice one, featuring a pair of gateless signals installed by NS back in the late-90s that are still almost entirely original! Unfortunately, sometime after EthantheRailfanner documented this crossing in 2020, the right-rear light on the closer signal was replaced by the current (though reused) Safetran 12x24. I suspect this light would've come from Old Apison Road near Cohutta, GA. Either way, thankfully nothing else too major has changed to this crossing since it was installed, and it even still retains its original GS Type 1 e-bell!

http://www.rxrsignals.com/Tennessee/G-Q ... h/Watkins/