Southbound signal on the left: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x24 inch lights with WCH 2nd Generation LEDs and a General Signals Type-2 electronic bell.
Southbound signal on the right: 1 pair of Safetran 12x24 inch lights with WCH 2nd Generation LEDs.
Northbound signal: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x24 inch lights with WCH 2nd Generation LEDs and a General Signals Type-1 electronic bell.
This was the fourth and final train that I caught today, and it was a southbound CSX intermodal train with another pretty boring lash-up: 2 GEVOs (in order from newer to older) leading an SD70MAC. However, despite the boring power (for the most part), I did see a nice variety of trains.
This is another crossing where I really didn't care what the train had too much, I just wanted to record the crossing. Like the one just south of here in Bass, AL, I noticed that one of the bells here is really faded, so I wanted to confirm that it was a Type 1 or not (which is is). The install is also pretty unique. The rear lights on the northbound signal serve as side-lights for Crownover Road, while southbound traffic has a second signal on their side of the crossing to help provide a bit more warning. This is due to the fact that TN 56 jumps across the tracks at a rather sharp angle here due to running to the Alabama State Line a few hundred feet to the south of here. In fact, the Welcome to Alabama sign is quite plainly visible from this crossing, and on the other side of the state line, the road turns into AL 117 which takes you into the "town" of Bass, AL and then into Stevenson, AL.
Southbound signal on the left: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x24 inch lights with WCH 2nd Generation LEDs and an NEG electronic bell.
Southbound signal on the right: 1 pair of Safetran 12x24 inch lights with WCH 2nd Generation LEDs.
Northbound signal: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x24 inch lights with WCH 2nd Generation LEDs and a sick General Signals Type-1 electronic bell.
After catching the northbound mixed freight, Ethan and I left that crossing to head elsewhere. Ethan went to go get some gas, while I went to chase S821 further south. I'd considered getting the train at one of the three remaining crossings with a mechanical bell around Tullahoma and Estill Springs, but I also wanted to chase it south to this crossing and I was concerned about issues with traffic around Winchester (and the fact that Winchester to Anderson is largely still 2 lane roads). As such, I just decided to head on down to this crossing and wait for it. After about half an hour of waiting (with Ethan thankfully being able to beat it down here as well), and just as the sun was starting to set, S821 came roaring through this crossing for my final video of the day. After this, we followed it down to Stevenson, AL, where we got some dinner and made our ways back home.
Not too much has changed to this crossing since I last recorded it, however, there has still been a notable change here. Sometime since I last recorded this crossing, I think within the past year or so, CSX replaced the General Signals Type 2 electronic bell here with an NEG e-bell. Kinda surprised that they did, as the GS Type 2 was undoubtedly newer than the GS Type 1, but I suspect it must've died for one reason or another.
Unfortunately, even though the GS Type 1 is still here, it's quite clearly on its way out, as it now produces a rather unusual sound. Not entirely sure if this wasn't due to like some moisture getting into the bell or something, but this is the first time I've heard a GS e-bell sound like this. Sadly, I would not be too surprised if this bell dies before too long as well and gets replaced with another NEG e-bell.
Re: Sherwood Road (TN 56), Anderson, TN
Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2025 12:13 pm
by freebrickproductions
*originally recorded on 1-17-25*
Southbound signal on the left: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x24 inch lights with WCH 2nd Generation LEDs and an NEG electronic bell.
Southbound signal on the right: 1 pair of Safetran 12x24 inch lights with WCH 2nd Generation LEDs.
Northbound signal: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x24 inch lights with WCH 2nd Generation LEDs and an NEG electronic bell.
After catching C306 for the third and final time, I'd heard that there was an M647 following it south, so I decided to head back-up to this crossing to catch it. After a bit of waiting, I was able to get my sixth train of the day, and probably what's my second-best catch of the day: CSX M647 with a pair of YN2 AC44CWs for power! Definitely nice to get another solid YN2 lash-up like this, I don't believe I'd caught one since January of 2023!
Thankfully, this crossing has remained fully gateless and largely unchanged since I last recorded it back in 2022. Unsurprisingly, however, CSX has replaced the sick GS Type 1 e-bell on the closest signal here with a new NEG e-bell. Given how the Type 1 was sounding, however, I'm assuming it'd finally died at some point, hence the replacement. Interestingly, it appears the closest signal's gotten a new WCH base on it as well, not entirely sure why that was done. Still, this is definitely a pretty interesting (and unusual) install in a bit of a scenic valley here, so I always enjoy recording it.