However, orange conduit has appeared around the signals, so I assume that these are due for an upgrade soon.
Re: McClellan Street, Athens, AL
Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2026 11:54 am
by freebrickproductions
*originally recorded on 1-16-26*
Signal on the left: 2 pairs of WCH 12x24 inch lights with Leotek EV Series LEDs, a non-functional NEG electronic bell, a non-functional Siemens gate mechanism.
Signal on the right: 1.5 pairs of WCH 12x24 inch lights with WCH 2nd Generation LEDs, 1 Modern Industries 12x24 inch light with a WCH 2nd Generation LED, 2 pairs of Safetran 12x24 inch lights with WCH 2nd Generation LEDs, and a General Signals Type 1 electronic bell.
After catching C041, I went up to this crossing to see about getting it recorded. After nearly 3 hours of waiting, I was finally able to catch my fourth and final train of the day: CSX M212 with a CM44AC leading an ES40DC for power and a long cut of mixed freight ahead of the autoracks at about sunset. After this, I hopped on the road back home to Huntsville for the night.
As you can see, the orange conduit I'd spotted around this crossing last year when I last filmed this crossing in action was indeed signs of a pending upgrade to gated signals. Sometime since I last filmed this crossing, CSX replaced the far signal entirely with a brand new gated one, though the signal is temporarily wired into the existing older relay case. As a result, the new NEG e-bell and Siemens gate mech on it are not wired-up, and do not work for the time being as a result. Thankfully, the closer signal here hadn't been replaced yet at the time this video was recorded. It will be getting replaced before too long though, as CSX has a replacement signal laying by the old L&N freight depot here in Athens, and there was a foundation installed at this crossing for the replacement signal already. Interestingly, the foundation was originally located right next to the existing signal here, but at some point within a week or so prior to this video, CSX decided to take-out part of the OOS track here and relocate the foundation where that track used to be, so it would be mounted closer to the two active tracks that remain here. As you can also probably see, for whatever reason, CSX decided to replace the emergency information on the closer signal here, even though it's literally about to be replaced, and left the old ENS tag laying on the ground next to the signal.
Signal on the left: 4 pairs of WCH 12x24 inch lights with Leotek EV Series LEDs, an NEG electronic bell, and a non-functional Siemens gate mechanism.
Signal on the right: 2 pairs of WCH 12x24 inch lights with Leotek EV Series LEDs, a non-functional NEG electronic bell, and a non-functional Siemens gate mechanism.
On March 4th, I went out to get a couple of local monthly siren tests. After catching Limestone County's test, I decided to head over to Athens to check-up on this crossing and to try and catch at least one train here. While waiting, I was able to meet-up with DixieLandALTEC and was chatting with him while waiting. After a bit of waiting, I was able to catch my first train of the day: an absolute monster of a northbound empty CSX coal train with a pair of ES44AHs leading an AC44CW and another pair of ES44AHs. It appears this train was an empty coal out of Florida that was combined with an empty coal from Stilesboro, GA. Normally the Stilesboro coals would be routed via Chattanooga up the CSX Chattanooga Subdivision, but, at the time, the Chatt Sub was down for a maintenance curfew, so these coals were being rerouted via Birmingham. I suspect these two would've been combined in either LaGrange or Birmingham.
Since I last filmed this crossing, CSX replaced the far signal here with a brand new one. Interestingly, CSX originally had only three pairs of lights so I'm guessing they decided to add a pair of sidelights for the gravel drive next to it when they installed it. Sadly, this means the GS Type 1 here is now gone.
Like with the closer signal, the new signal on the far side here is also temporarily wired into the old relay case. Interestingly, the new relay case was powered-on, though I'm guessing they're still waiting on some equipment for it before they cut the new signals over to it.