Mike's Railroad Crossing Forum

*originally recorded on 8-5-20*

Signal on the left: 4 pairs of Safetran 12x20 inch lights, a (dying?) Safetran mechanical bell, a Safetran gate mechanism, and NEG gate lights.
Signal on the right: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x20 inch lights, a General Signals Type 2 electronic bell, a Safetran gate mechanism, and NEG gate lights.

After catching NS 320 at Saragossa, we both went on elsewhere to watch NS 329. Acting upon the advice I received from DeadBolt82, I went down to this crossing in Jasper, rather than trying to beat 329 to Parrish. However, as NS 329 took a really long time to get here (and DeadBolt82 proceeded to come and join me at this crossing while waiting), I probably could've beaten them, but oh well. However, NS 329 did eventually come through with an ES44AC leading a Dash-9, and an AC44C6M working as the mid-train DPU.

This crossing is a pretty nice one, especially since the crossing features one of the last three mechanical bells left on the NS NA District. This crossing also has the last mechanical in the city of Jasper. Sadly, from where I was, the Safetran mechanical bell here sounded like it was ringing somewhat weakly and possibly like it was dying, so hopefully it gets fixed rather than replaced.
The signals here were installed in the mid-90s by NS, and it appears that the only major change here came sometime between 2008 and 2014, when the original Safetran mechanical bell on the closer signal was replaced with the current GS Type 2.

No changes here as of 12-28-20, though I did record on the side with the Safetran mechanical bell this time:

*originally recorded on 7-27-23*

Signal on the left: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x20 inch lights, a General Signals Type 2 electronic bell, a Safetran gate mechanism, and NEG gate lights.
Signal on the right: 4 pairs of Safetran 12x20 inch lights, a Safetran mechanical bell, a Safetran gate mechanism, and RECO LED gate lights.

This was the seventh crossing I caught NS 320 at. Since I was last here, NS has replaced the gate arm on the closer signal and this signal now has all RECO LED gate lights as a result. The Safetran mechanical bell is thankfully still here and working, though is now sounding a bit weaker, especially since it now seems to struggle a bit more noticeably when the gates begin to descend and seems to cut-out a bit earlier as they lower. Hopefully NS gives it some TLC.

http://www.rxrsignals.com/Alabama/G-Q/Jasper/18/

*originally recorded on 3-5-26*

Signal on the left: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x20 inch lights, a General Signals Type 2 electronic bell, a Safetran gate mechanism, and RECO LED gate lights.
Signal on the right: 4 pairs of Safetran 12x20 inch lights, a dying Safetran mechanical bell, a Safetran gate mechanism, and RECO LED gate lights.

After catching 320 in Prospect, I chased the train on down to this crossing in Jasper for one final video since I knew I had enough light for it. After a bit of waiting, I was able to catch NS 320 for the fifth and final time on this evening. I will admit, I'm definitely rather glad I got to chase this Dash-9 leader back down to Jasper.

It appears that the only major change here since I last recorded this crossing back in 2023 was that NS replaced the gate lights on the far signal with a new set of RECO LEDs. Thankfully, nothing else appears to have changed here, and this crossing still retains its Safetran mechanical bell! Sadly, it's definitely sounding noticeably worse than it did in 2023, so it's definitely on its way out as well. It appears that whatever delays the gates lowering after the crossing has activated has gone bad as well, given how the gates descent almost immediately upon activation. I suppose the gates descending so quickly means the bells here ain't on as long (and thus the Safetran here ain't gonna wear-out as fast, in theory, anyways), but hopefully NS gives the Safetran here a bit of TLC while also fixing that issue with the gates descending so early.

https://www.rxrsignals.com/Alabama/G-Q/Jasper/18/