Thach Road, Thach, AL

[freebrickproductions]

Signal on the left: 3 pairs of Safetran 12x24 inch lights with WCH 2nd Generation LEDs.
Signal on the right: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x24 inch lights with WCH 2nd Generation LEDs and a damaged NEG electronic bell.

This crossing also has a some more nice old L&N Modern Industries signals at it. However, like the other crossings along the CSX S&NA North Sub, the original Modern Industries lights got replaced with Safetran 12x24 inch lights, along with the bell being replaced and an LED upgrade around 2013. The NEG e-bell got damaged at some point somehow, knocking the speaker out of the top of the bell and breaking one of the sides. Also note the backwards crossbuck on the right-hand signal.

[ToledoRailfan]

Gotta love those Crossing Railroads!

[ZachL]

Gotta love those Crossing Railroads!

Didn't you know that we as motorists have the right-of-way? That's why those signals indicate 'crossing railorad!'

[ToledoRailfan]

Gotta love those Crossing Railroads!

Didn't you know that we as motorists have the right-of-way? That's why those signals indicate 'crossing railorad!'

Sadly, a lot of people really think that.

[freebrickproductions]

Since I last recorded this crossing, the damaged NEG e-bell here was replaced with a newer one and the backwards crossbuck was corrected. As of 9-2-21 though, no other major changes had occured here:


http://www.rxrsignals.com/Alabama/R-Z/Thach/Thach/

[freebrickproductions]

No major changes here as of 10-9-21:

[freebrickproductions]

Got a recording here on 2-18-24 on the western side of the crossing:

[freebrickproductions]

On 4-1-24, CSX has roughed in new conduit around the crossing for an upgrade here as well. No other changes to this crossing since I last recorded it, however:

[freebrickproductions]

No changes to this crossing as of 7-18-24, surprisingly:

[freebrickproductions]

*originally recorded on 3-5-25*

Signal on the left: 3 pairs of WCH 12x24 inch lights with Leotek EV Series LEDs, an NEG electronic bell, a Siemens gate mechanism, and NEG LED gate lights.
Signal on the right: 2 pairs of WCH 12x24 inch lights with Leotek EV Series LEDs, an NEG electronic bell, a Siemens gate mechanism, and NEG LED gate lights.

After getting the Lawrence County siren test on the morning of March 5th, I was heading through Decatur when I saw CSX X126 heading north across the river, so I decided to chase it north. I decided to head for Thach, as I'd recalled seeing what seemed to potentially be new equipment at Thach Road from I-65 when I was heading up to Nashville for a different siren test on March 1st. In the process, I wound-up getting ahead of a loaded welded rail train around Athens, so, when I saw it come around the corner down at North End Carey, while documenting this crossing I quickly got my camera out and got set-up. After a few minutes of waiting, I was able to catch my first, and best, catch of the day: CSX W010 with a pair of SD40-2s for power!
You can also hear the Thach DD reading-out after the train has passed.

As you can see, CSX has finally upgraded this crossing to gated signals. I believe it was earlier this year, as I recall swinging by this crossing with madisoncountysirens4295 on our way up to Nashville for a siren test, and I seem to recall the crossing still had its old L&N-era gateless signals then. Hopefully Limestone County will remove the yield signs here at some point now as well, but, either way, I'm glad to see the upgrade here was finally finished. Will miss the old gateless signals that used to be here though, the masts for them had gotten to a nice brown color.

http://www.rxrsignals.com/Alabama/R-Z/Thach/Thach/