Mike's Railroad Crossing Forum

*originally recorded on 7-28-19*

Signal on the left: 2 pairs of WCH 12x24 inch lights with Leotek EV Series LEDs, a WCH mechanical bell, a WCH gate mechanism, and RECO LED gate lights.
Signal on the right: 2 pairs of WCH 12x24 inch lights with Dialight Ball LEDs, a dead WCH mechanical bell, a WCH gate mechanism, and RECO LED gate lights.

After getting A724 at Range Street, I knew that they'd most likely be pulling through this crossing during their initial switching move in the Dothan Yard, so I went on over here. Unfortunately, I underestimated the amount of time I'd have to get set-up, so I wound-up missing the start of the crossing activation. Either way, it was nice to get a video of this crossing, since it's a bit neat. Originally, this crossing was a pair of later SBD WCH signals with no major changes. However, sometime after 2013 (according to Google Street View) but before 2018, the right-hand signal was replaced (likely due to being struck and knocked down). Strangely enough, though, rather than putting up an entirely brand-new signal, CSX chose to install a new mast and lights, but re-use the gate mech and bell. Also, just as strangely (if slightly less), the LEDs they chose for the replacement lights were a set of Dialight Ball LEDs, which is seems like CSX typically doesn't use in modern WCH lights like this.
The far signal was also upgraded to LED at some point in the same time period, likely around the time the near signal was replaced, however, it still retains the rather nicely faded backgrounds on the lights.

Got a video of the crossing timing out on 7-30-19. However, I was able to successfully get the activation this time around.


As you can see, no changes had occured between these two videos.