Mike's Railroad Crossing Forum

*originally recorded on 2-8-20*

Far crossing (CSX):
Signal on the left: 4.5 pairs of Modern Industries 12x24 inch lights, 1 WCH 12x24 inch light, a (dead?) WCH mechanical bell, a Safetran gate mechanism, and RECO LED gate lights.
Signal on the right: 5 pairs of Modern Industries 12x24 inch lights.
Near crossing (BHRR):
Signal on the left: 5 pairs of Modern Industries 12x24 inch lights.
Signal on the right: 4 pairs of Modern Industries 12x24 inch lights, 1 pair of WCH 12x24 inch lights, a dying WCH mechanical bell, a Safetran gate mechanism, and RECO LED gate lights.

After catching M730 at Davey Allison Boulevard, I packed-up and started working my way back up to the Pratt City neighborhood of Birmingham, as that was where I was planning on getting them next. However, when I looked to my south going across the Mineral Sub, I saw M730 was still approaching this crossing, so I quickly pulled off into a nearby parking lot and grabbed my camera to set-up. As I was getting it out, I turned it on and pressed record, but apparently it didn't take. Thankfully, I noticed that I wasn't recording in time and was able to start my camera with only a couple of seconds to spare before the crossing activated.

This crossing is another nice one. The signals appear to have all been installed by CSX in the 1980s, and not long after they were installed, one of the rear mast lights on the gated signal on the far crossing was struck and replaced with an older MI light, but not many changes have occured here since the 80s. By the time street view came through in 2011, the closest signal had already had its original WCH gate mech replaced with the current Safetran gate mech, but the far gated signal retained its original WCH gate mech until sometime between 2014 and 2015, when it was sadly replaced by the current Safetran gate mech.
Sadly, the WCH mechanical bell on the closer signal is definitely on its way out, as it clicks several times before starting, and sounds quite rough once it gets going. Due to the combined length of these crossings, I couldn't really tell if the far WCH mechanical bell works or not (and if so, how well). However, as I only just barely started my camera in time to get the activation, I'm planning on coming back here in the future for another video, so I'll have to set-up on the far side the next time I'm down here.
I-20/I-59 can also be seen on the far side of the crossing.

No major changes here as of 11-28-21, but unfortunately, it seems like both bells may be dead now. Recorded the CSX side of the crossings this time around as well.


http://www.rxrsignals.com/Alabama/G-Q/H ... _Memorial/