Mike's Railroad Crossing Forum

*originally recorded on 8-24-21*

Signal on the left: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x24 inch lights with WCH 2nd Generation LEDs, a Safetran gate mechanism, and RECO LED gate lights.
Signal on the right: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x24 inch lights with WCH 2nd Generation LEDs, a General Signals Type 2 electronic bell, a Safetran gate mechanism, and RECO LED gate lights.

While waiting on Q521, I'd been hearing a X524 down around Birmingham (over the scanner), so after Q521 came through Trafford, I went up to the one crossing in Bangor to catch it. Had to wait a little bit, but eventually, the signal at South End Hanceville (just north of this crossing) upgraded. X524 wound-up coming through a bit later, though I almost missed it, only being alerted to it by the defect detector about a mile south of this crossing. Here we see this rather short X524 come through, with an ES44AH leading an ES40DC and another ES44AH.

This crossing is a decent little one. It appears that originally, there was a pair of older gated signals from the L&N here, but in the late-90s, both signals were replaced with the current ones by CSX (with the relay case being retained). Then, in the 2000s, it appears that the bell that was here (I'm guessing a GS Type 1) was replaced with the current GS Type 2. Then, in 2013, the lights got upgraded to the current LEDs. Since then, no major changes appear to have occurred here. I will say, I do kinda like how the closer signal, despite being from the late-90s (at the earliest), it appears, has gotten a bit of a "rusty" look to it, and the mast (and gate mech) have somehow managed to "brown" over the years. Certainly a bit of a more unique look.
I did also manage to get a better video of this crossing two days later, and that video should be going-up soon-ish.

http://www.rxrsignals.com/Alabama/A-F/Bangor/CR9/

Got a somewhat better video of this crossing on 8-26-21:

*originally recorded on 2-17-23*

Signal on the left: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x24 inch lights with WCH 2nd Generation LEDs, a Safetran gate mechanism, and RECO LED gate lights.
Signal on the right: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x24 inch lights with WCH 2nd Generation LEDs, a General Signals Type 2 electronic bell, a Safetran gate mechanism, RECO LED gate lights, and an NEG LED gate light.

After that phosphate train had snuck-up on me, I remained at this crossing since I still wanted to re-record this crossing. After about an hour of waiting, this M647 came through with an ES40DC leading an AC44CW and another ES40DC for power.

Since I was last here, one of the gate lights on the closer signal was replaced with an NEG LED. One of the LEDs on the far signal has also had the array fall into the lens since then as well, it appears. Otherwise, however, this crossing pretty much remains fully unchanged. One of Alabama's best drivers can be seen at this crossing as well.

http://www.rxrsignals.com/Alabama/A-F/Bangor/CR9/