*originally recorded on 2-26-22*
Signal on the left: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x24 inch lights, a Safetran mechanical bell, a Safetran gate mechanism, and RECO LED gate lights.
Signal on the right: 2 pairs of Safetran 8 inch lights, a Safetran mechanical bell, a Safetran gate mechanism, and NEG LED gate lights.
After catching I038, I continued on south towards Goose Creek for some crossings there. On my way south, I saw an unexpected northbound mixed freight coming past, so I turned-around to try and beat it to a crossing to my north, only to realize I likely wasn't gonna be able to do so. As such, I turned back around and continued on over to this crossing. Here, after about a little over half an hour of waiting, Amtrak 90 came through with a P42DC for power.
This crossing is a rather nice one, featuring what appears to have been originally an early to mid-70s Safetran install from the SCL. The right-hand signal appears to be fully original from when it was installed, even still including the original 1st Gen Safetran mechanical bell. The far signal features a 2nd Gen Safetran mechanical bell, which I'm guessing the SCL installed back in the mid to late-70s. Don't believe it would've been installed at the same time as the closer signal, however, and I suspect it was installed on a knock-down replacement for a signal that had been there previously. In the late-90s, it appears, however, it appears that signal was replaced (again?) with the current one, though the 2nd Gen Safetran bell was re-used onto the current signal, thankfully. Since then, no major changes appear to have occurred to this crossing.
The 1st Gen Safetran bell here does sound rather clattery as it rings, kinda like one of the RACO bells over there in Greenwood, SC. Hopefully CSX gives it a bit of work, as it seems that it's getting worn-out. The older Safetran gate mech on the closer signal here seems to need some work as well. The gate mech lowers rather slowly (keeping the bell on it active, likely causing it to wear-out quicker), and doesn't finish lowering until the engine on Amtrak 90 has entered the crossing. When the gate mech begins to raise, it makes a noticeably loud grinding/whirring noise, I suspect from something in the gate mech being messed-up. They might also just be in need of some oil, as both gate mechs here do sound a bit on the louder side as they raise. Hopefully the 8 inch lights and mechanical bells here remain around for a good while longer, but either way, I'm certainly glad I was able to record this when I did.
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