*originally recorded on 3-30-22*
Signal on the left: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x20 inch lights with GE Dotted LEDs and a dying WCH mechanical bell.
Signal on the right: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x24 inch lights with GE Dotted LEDs.
After catching the AN twice up around Hardaway on the southbound trip, I chased them down to this crossing just north of Greensboro. Here we see them at the first of the last two crossings I needed to get on the AN with seven cars in tow for their southbound trip.
The signals here are pretty nice, being another 60s AN install with upgrades to it over the years. In the 1980s, it appears that all of the lights here were replaced with the current Safetran 12 inch ones, and the base on the closer signal had its cover replaced with a Safetran one as well. Then, in the 1990s (I believe), the AN replaced the bell here with the current WCH mechanical bell. Finally, in the mid-2010s, both signals had their lights upgraded to the current LEDs, with no major changes since, it appears.
This crossing was definitely one that I wanted to film, as it's the only remaining active gateless crossing on the AN with a mechanical bell. Unfortunately, the WCH mechanical bell here is definitely on its way out, as it sounds very rough and rather weak, noticeably clicking with each ring and sometimes not evening ringing at all, just clicking. When the bell does ring, it sounds noticeably flat as well. Seems the hammer does move rather freely though, as it seems to click a few times after the crossing shuts off. Hopefully this bell gets its needed TLC, but I wouldn't be too surprised if it eventually becomes another GS Type 3 e-bell.
Either way though, this is one crossing that I wanted to get and I'm glad I was able to do so.
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