Mike's Railroad Crossing Forum

*originally recorded on 7-28-19*

Signal on the left: 4 pairs of Modern Industries 12x24 inch lights, 1 pair of WABCO 12x20 inch lights, a General Signals Type 1 electronic bell, a Safetran gate mechanism, and NEG LED gate lights.
Signal on the right: 3 pairs of Modern Industries 12x24 inch lights, 1 pair of WABCO 12x20 inch lights, a General Signals Type 1 electronic bell, a WABCO Model 75 gate mechanism, and NEG LED gate lights.

This was the fourth crossing I caught A724 at on the 28th. It's a pretty nice one and easily the best crossing in the city of Ashford, IMHO. The signals here are some late-SCL signals it appears, and haven't had many changes done to them. Originally, the gate masts would've used all WABCO equipment, but, in the late 90s, both of the original WABCO (most likely) mechanical bells were replaced with the current GS Type 1s. Then, more recently, between 2013 and 2018, the original WABCO gate mech on the far signal was replaced with the current Safetran one. However, other than that, no major changes have occured to this crossing.
The lights here have also all faded rather nicely. I believe this is also the last Class I crossing in Alabama to feature a US&S/WABCO Model 75 gate mech at it, though a couple of shortlines have Model 75s on their lines (especially the AGR, it appears, assuming they haven't gone on a replacement spree for their gate mechs). Both gate arms feature gate stabilizers attached to them, though the closer one is missing about half of it. One of the mast lights on the closer cantilever is also blown, or at least was when I took this video.