CR 1150 N #1, Tuscola, IL

[freebrickproductions]

*originally recorded on 11-20-25*

Signal on the left: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x24 inch lights with GE Uniform Look LEDs, a Safetran gate mechanism, and RECO LED gate lights.
Signal on the right: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x24 inch lights with GE Uniform Look LEDs, a Safetran Hybrid bell, a Safetran gate mechanism, and RECO LED gate lights.

After I caught the southbound Amtrak Saluki just north of Effingham, I hit the road and headed for this crossing on the north side of Tuscola next. On my way here, I saw a northbound mixed freight with some cool power, though, when I arrived at this crossing, I saw a pair of GEs slowly approaching the crossing (despite the signals at the end of the siding north of the crossing being red), running lite. As such, I quickly got my camera set-up and rolling, and, not too long after, the crossing activated. Amusingly, however, the first train I caught wound-up being a southbound CN work train of some kind, with a CN hi-rail truck pulling a handful of gondolas, which I have no doubt were carrying ties or something similar in them. Either way, after that came through, the lite locomotives slowly rolled through with a CN ES44DC leading a CN-painted IC Dash-9, as they prepared to stop at the wayside signals just north of the crossing. However, as they slowly pulled-up to them, the signal for the main upgraded to clear and the two locomotives accelerated up the line towards Champaign. Definitely one of the more unusual meets I've ever caught, even if the two trains technically "met" just off-camera.
Also interesting to note: I'd caught these same two locomotives pulling a grain train in Mississippi the day prior, so I'm guessing they must've just dropped-off that grain train an a grain elevator in Tuscola or somewhere else nearby.

This crossing is another great one, and I'm glad I got it recorded. The signals here are a late-90s IC install that's still mostly original, with the only major change here being that CN upgraded them to LED back in the early-2010s. Thankfully, since then, absolutely nothing else appears to have changed to this crossing, which is great to see. I'm especially glad to see that this crossing still retains its original Hybrid bell, with this bell also being set to ring until the gates rise! Hopefully this crossing remains unchanged for many more years to come, but, either way, I'm glad I got to record this crossing when I did.

https://www.rxrsignals.com/Illinois/R-Z ... a/1150N_1/