You do realize that these signals in the first link are now gone sometime around 2008 and 2013, right? Some nice equipment there too especially with 2 Safetran Mechanicals there too along with 8 inch lights! Also, the relay case still stands there, for whatever reason too.
Posting this here, as this line is normally out of service.
Interesting... a line UP generally keeps mothballed, does little maintenance to (other than to keep track operational to excepted standard and signals operational- Though they do have someone ahead of the consist to flag crossings.), and doesn't run on except when flooding closes a BNSF line they use trackage rights on.
Maintainer! Gotta be able to open this line at a moment's notice... Keep those batteries charged. Also the M bell was removed from the top of the cantilever and an E-bell was mounted by the mast lights.
Looks like 2017 was the last time this line was opened up for a bit because of flooding as well. (likely a reposted video)
With NS still actively maintaining the crossing, of course.
(blue DOT tag is a good indicator there)
Re: Tracks out of service
Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2019 1:58 am
by freebrickproductions
Well, I'm finally getting around to making a post looking at all of the crossings (or as many as I can) along the CSX Illinois Sub in southern IL (from East St. Louis to Washington, IN). For the most part, this line seems to have been somewhat modernized, which I can't say I'm surprised about given that it's a line owned by a Class I in IL.
First off, here's a couple more recent videos of the line, showing various crossings, most of which don't have power (and one of these I'll be referencing back to shortly):
So, starting from the eastern end of the line, these first two crossings appear to still be "active" in the sense that they have the lights facing forwards still and have power connected.
The westernmost crossing along the line is a 1990s gateless CSX install without any bells on Black Lane in State Park Place, IL (great name guys). These signals likely replaced the original B&O-era signals: https://www.google.com/maps/@38.6454487 ... 312!8i6656
Heading east into Caseyville, we have another signalized crossing that still has power and forwards-facing lights on Long Street. This appears to be an early-2000s CSX install with a rather faded General Signals e-bell. I suspect it's a Type 1, but can't confirm it as according to the above video (the second one), it appears to be dead as I don't hear it at all: https://www.google.com/maps/@38.6386074 ... 312!8i6656
Continuing east, it's certainly odd seeing a rather modern CSX install abandoned in place like this, especially since this appears to have been installed around the time the line was closed: https://www.google.com/maps/@38.6273959 ... 312!8i6656
Here's a crossing with the bells on the sides of the masts: https://www.google.com/maps/@38.5930111 ... 312!8i6656
It appears to have originally been bell-less, but the bells were installed between 2009 and 2013, according to street view.
Now here's another waste of money. Prior to this line being closed, there were a pair of older signals here. However, after it was closed, one of the signals most likely got knocked down so of course CSX had to replace it! https://www.google.com/maps/@38.60081,- ... 312!8i6656
Another gateless crossing, though with newer CSX signals with incandescent lights, double-sided 4 inch bases (a bit unusual, IMHO), and a Safetran Type 3 e-bell (which this line seems to be full of): https://www.google.com/maps/@38.6083264 ... 312!8i6656
Some more older gated signals here. The cantilever appears to have MI 12x20s on the overhead, while the rest of the lights are Safetran 12x24s (pretty typical for any line in IL, it seems): https://www.google.com/maps/@38.6223257 ... 328!8i1664
After this, the line enters Flora, IL, where it goes back into service, though is justed used by one local freight. Some neat stuff still remains on this part of the line as well, an example of which is posted in the Google Maps Scavenger Hunt thread.
