Stovall Road, Stovall, GA

[freebrickproductions]

*originally recorded on 2-13-22*

Signal on the left: 2 pairs of WABCO 8 inch lights, a dying WABCO mechanical bell, a WABCO Model 75 gate mechanism, and NEG LED gate lights.
Signal on the right: 1.5 pairs of WABCO 8 inch lights, 1 WCH 8 inch light, an NEG electronic bell, a WABCO Model 75 gate mechanism, and NEG LED gate lights.

After I caught Q601, I continued on documenting crossings on the Lineville Sub. When I got to this crossing in the tiny little community of Stovall, however, I chose to set-up here and wait. Unfortunately, nothing came for another hour, during which, the sun moved to this side of the crossing. However, a little bit after that hour, I198 came rolling through this crossing with an ET44AH leading an AC44CW.

I think it's pretty obvious why I chose to hang around this crossing and wait for a train here, as this is a very nice crossing. The signals here are an early 80s SCL install and are almost entirely original still. At some point, the front-right light on the closer signal was replaced with the current WCH 8 inch light, and I believe this would've happened sometime in the 80s under either the SBD or CSX. Then, in the late-90s or early 2000s, CSX replaced the WABCO mechanical bell on the closer signal with a General Signals e-bell. Then, sometime within the past year or two, I'm guessing the GS e-bell here must've died, so CSX replaced it once again with the current NEG e-bell.
Amazingly enough, however, the WABCO mechanical bell on the far signal is still around and at least somewhat operational! I'd seen this bell on street view when planning-out this trip, but I had honestly expected it to be gone by now. As such, I'm rather surprised it's still around, especially given how busy the Lineville Sub is and the fact that, in Alabama at least, it's been pretty well modernized over the years. Unfortunately, as y'all can probably hear, the WABCO is definitely broken. While the rotary solenoid and capacitor in it seem to be in good shape, it is definitely still messed-up. I suspect that either the gong has been worn through and/or the hammer is broken and/or rubbing against the body of the bell. It does try to ring, and you can noticeably hear it attempting so, even from this side of the crossing, but it just isn't making a proper ring. Hopefully CSX fixes whatever is wrong with it, rather than replacing it, but, either way, I will admit that I'm surprised to see that the Lineville Sub retains a WABCO mechanical bell. This is definitely a crossing I'm glad I got to record.