originally recorded on 7-11-24
Signal on the left: 2 pairs of WCH 12x24 inch lights with Leotek EV Series LEDs, an NEG electronic bell, a Siemens gate mechanism, and NEG LED gate lights.
Signal on the right: 1 pair of Safetran 12x24 inch lights with WCH 2nd Generation LEDs, 1 pair of WCH 12x24 inch lights with WCH 2nd Generation LEDs, 2 pairs of Modern Industries 12x20 inch lights with Leotek EV Series LEDs, a Siemens gate mechanism, a RECO LED gate light, and RECO gate lights.
After I shot I141, I went up to this crossing on Reeves Road, to get a known upgrade here documented and wait for my next train. I knew there was both an I025 and an M584 coming, and while I kinda hoped for the I025, my fourth train of the day here wound-up being the M584, which had a pair of ES44AHs for power.
This crossing is a pretty nice one, featuring an L&N install from the 1970s here. This crossing had remained fairly original up until sometime between 2011 and 2016, when CSX replaced the original MI bell here with the current NEG e-bell. The crossing then remained largely untouched for a good few years after. However, sometime between 2021 and 2022, CSX gave this crossing its initial LED upgrade, fully upgrading the cantilever here to LED and replacing the front lights on the far signal. The overhead lights on the cantilever were upgraded with the current Leotek EV Series LEDs while the original 8 inch mast lights were all replaced by the current LED Safetran & WCH 12x24s. The far signal strangely retained its original 8 inch lights, but the front lights were replaced by a pair of 12x24 inch lights with WCH 2nd Gen LEDs. ‪@EthantheRailfanner‬ notes that these lights were both Safetran heads, though, to me, it appears that one was actually a WCH head. Interestingly, it appears that it was about this time that the cantilever had two of its gate lights replaced with a pair of reused older RECO incandescent gate lights! It appears that around this time, the gate mast for the cantilever also had its original MI base replaced with a WCH one.
Then, in 2022, as a result of the Chattanooga Sub as a whole getting an LED upgrade, the far signal would have yet another change to it. This time, all of the lights on it were replaced by the current WCH 12x24s with Leotek LEDs, not entirely sure why they didn't retain the original LED front lights. Regardless, this wouldn't be the end of the upgrades here, as sadly, sometime after January of 2023, CSX would replace both of the original GRS gate mechs here with the current Siemens ones.
Thankfully, despite how well modernized CSX has gotten this crossing in recent years, it still retains the old L&N signals themselves. I'm especially glad to see that the classic WCH(?) cantilever is still here, especially since it still retains its original MI 12x20 inch overhead light heads. I'm also quite glad to see some more RECO incandescent gate lights here, it's always nice to find some on CSX lines. Interestingly, the bell here now starts ringing again after the gates have lowered, I'm guessing due to one of the relays in the gate mechs not engaging properly. All in all, this is a neat crossing, and hopefully it ain't gonna see anymore upgrades for a while. Either way, I'm glad I was finally able to record it.
www.rxrsignals....
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