16th Street #3, Birmingham, AL

[freebrickproductions]

*originally recorded on 5-19-21*

Signal on the left: 4 pairs of Modern Industries 12x24 inch lights.
Signal on the right: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x24 inch lights and a General Signals Type 1 electronic bell.

While I was pulling up to 16th Street #2 while chasing the NS local freight, I saw CSX M730 was sitting by CSX's crossing waiting for permission into Boyles Yard. As such, after catching the local freight a second time, I decided to grab my camera and start walking up to the crossing so I could try to film it. As I was doing it, the crew blew the horn twice to indicate they were about to start moving, so I quickly ran and was just able to get set-up in time to film the crossing. Here we see M730 on their way to Boyles with a single ES40DC for power.

This crossing is honestly a pretty nice one. It appears that the signals here were put in by the L&N at some point, I'm guessing back in the 60s or 70s, though possibly before, but I can't say I'm entirely sure if the RACO cantilever here's original or not. It's possible that it was installed in the 90s or 2000s, being re-used from an SCL line somewhere (possibly here within Birmingham), but I just ain't certain. Either way, it appears that the signals here had their lights upgraded in either the late-80s or early-90s (more likely the latter) by CSX (and the cantilever, if it isn't original, was probably installed here about then), with the closer signal having Safetran 12x24s and the far signal getting Modern Industries 12x24s. Then, in the late-90s, the bell that was here at the time was replaced with the current GS Type 1. Since then, it doesn't appear any major changes to the crossing have occurred here, thankfully.
And apologies for the utility pole in the shot partially blocking the closer signal. Had I had more time, I probably would've made sure to set-up where it wasn't entirely in the way, but I was in a bit of a rush so I didn't really have time to make it perfect. I might come back here at some point to get a better video, but either way, I'm just glad to finally have a proper video of this crossing.

http://www.rxrsignals.com/Alabama/A-F/Birmingham/16_3