Main Street (US 43/AL 69) #2, Linden, AL
Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2025 2:17 pm
*originally recorded on 7-10-25*
Signal on the left: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x24 inch lights with Electro-tech LEDs.
Signal on the right: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x24 inch lights with Electro-tech LEDs and a General Signals Type 3 electronic bell.
After I caught M527 in Thomaston, I documented the crossing there and then hit the road for Linden to try and get them at this crossing. After a little bit of waiting, I was able to catch CSX M527 rolling past for the eighth and final time on this day. After this, I documented the crossings around Linden and snagged myself some food at a Subway before continuing west onto the CPKC line west of Myrtlewood. I got some crossings there documented as well, kinda hoping the train would continue west before too long, but it started getting late. As such, I hit the road for home, documenting the lone signalized crossing on the NS Demopolis District before stopping in Tuscaloosa for some supper on the way, making this the last video I got on this day.
This crossing is a pretty decent one, featuring a pair of old gateless signals that have been pretty well modernized over the years. It appears that the signals here were originally installed by the L&N back in the 1950s or 60s, though, in the late-90s it seems, CSX upgraded all of the lights here to the current Safetran 12x24s (which were originally incandescent) and the bell was replaced with a GS e-bell. The crossing remained largely unchanged for a while after that, but, then, sometime between 2018 and 2022, the MNBR upgraded this crossing to LED. At about the same time, it appears, the bell here was also replaced with the current GS Type 3 e-bell. Thankfully, since then, this crossing has remained entirely unchanged.
I will say, it's definitely nice getting another pair of old L&N gateless signals filmed, even if they are pretty well modernized these days. Interestingly, it appears that there was originally a second track through this crossing when the signals were first installed here, based on how far back the closer signal is from the crossing. Believe it or not, this is also the westernmost signalized crossing on the CSX Selma Subdivision, so that's at least something kinda neat about this crossing as well I guess. Definitely not a bad one to ultimately end the day off with by any stretch of the imagination either, TBH.