I feel like every crossing loses a bit of personality every time a mechanical bell gets replaced. That aside, it's always interesting to see the process of signal replacement. I watched the same thing gradually happen in my old hometown... even had the signal maintainer's phone number and we chatted back and forth about his career, etc. for a few weeks or so. I tried to get the old RACO bell off the old N&W era signal, but no luck, sadly.
Same. I used to railfan a lot at a crossing that had a mechanical bell and at one time. They replaced it because it died and now it just isn't the same anymore. This was Oltorf Street in Austin, TX.
@@TheAustinSubRailfan Yep, the one I tried to get was on Berryman Pike in Tipton, IN. Never thought I'd see the day the signals got updated at that crossing, but here we are. It always rang super fast and I'm not sure I've heard another RACO as fast as that one. It was the only mechanical bell left in town until 2020.
14:04 I get freight and Amtrak trains 🚆 that go through my area All the time. Fun fact: if you listen really closely, you'll notice that the Amtrak train whistle is a very different sound than what a freight train whistle sounds like. it's actually pretty cool to be able to tell the difference between the Amtrak and a freight train, just by the sound of the whistle 😊 #amtrak
One of the last semaphore signals on the line where I live, was taken down and installed at an old railroad historian/railfan's residence when they were removed from service. It's possible that those crossings might have the same thing done due to the way they were carefully loaded into the CSX truck without being disassembled much further
Rip to those mechanical bells. Kinda of sad that they're are becoming a thing of the past. In fact there are only a few mechanical bells on the line I live on.
Well, one thing I hear at 11:48 is a big voltage drop. Once the gate mechanisms engage to drive the gate down, the voltage drops enough to lower frequency of the bell ring. You can then hear it speed up again right before it turns off.
State of North Carolina DOT seems to be providing a lot of money for crossing signal upgrades across the state, especially on major rail lines, some even with quad gates.
@gaffneyrailroading1982 I'm sure you're right, but a lot of smaller towns didn't get them until recently, making them seem to be something new. Cities have had them for a long time, but when my little hometown in Virginia got them, it just seemed like overkill. Six pairs of lights for each direction is a lot when there only used to be two.
The stupid part is that CSX installed a whole new signal there already and the other one only has its original mast and light frames and bell. No wonder railroads can't afford new stuff.
Very likely that the parts for the older safetran mechanisms were too expensive/not made anymore and therefore replacing the whole setup was more cost effective in the long run.
I love that you started the first few frames with a GORGEOUS Pete!!
by far my most favourite railroad crossing replacement is this one right here!
Great Video Rest In Peace WC Hayes Mechanical Bell You Will Be Missed 😔
Great video. Very interesting. You documented this well.
I feel like every crossing loses a bit of personality every time a mechanical bell gets replaced. That aside, it's always interesting to see the process of signal replacement. I watched the same thing gradually happen in my old hometown... even had the signal maintainer's phone number and we chatted back and forth about his career, etc. for a few weeks or so. I tried to get the old RACO bell off the old N&W era signal, but no luck, sadly.
Same. I used to railfan a lot at a crossing that had a mechanical bell and at one time. They replaced it because it died and now it just isn't the same anymore. This was Oltorf Street in Austin, TX.
@@TheAustinSubRailfan Yep, the one I tried to get was on Berryman Pike in Tipton, IN. Never thought I'd see the day the signals got updated at that crossing, but here we are. It always rang super fast and I'm not sure I've heard another RACO as fast as that one. It was the only mechanical bell left in town until 2020.
Great documentation process
7:02 Something about the sound of GEVOs in notch 8...
Great catch
Great video of the crossing hunter
14:04 I get freight and Amtrak trains 🚆 that go through my area All the time.
Fun fact: if you listen really closely, you'll notice that the Amtrak train whistle is a very different sound than what a freight train whistle sounds like. it's actually pretty cool to be able to tell the difference between the Amtrak and a freight train, just by the sound of the whistle 😊
#amtrak
What do they do with the old equipment that was replaced?
Repurpose it or scrap
I think the old equipment is still in good enough condition to be repurposed. It seems a shame that they would scrap it
One of the last semaphore signals on the line where I live, was taken down and installed at an old railroad historian/railfan's residence when they were removed from service. It's possible that those crossings might have the same thing done due to the way they were carefully loaded into the CSX truck without being disassembled much further
1. Repurposed
2. Scrapped
3. Sold to other railroads (short lines and excursions)
@@BBT609Maybe
2:23 One of the best horns!
What are they gonna to do with the old singles and why are they getting replaced?
5:12 Locomotive number?
35.
That old mechanical bell is in someone’s man cave now
I wonder how many times that bell faithfully rang.
This bell rang 99,100,987 times. I would love to see these in Riverside, where i live.
1:30 is that just the camera shutter speed, or do the lights actually dim like that
Just the camera, newer LEDs do that
For Anybody Who Is Wondering What The New Bells Are They Are Called NEG Electronic Bells
Well looking area to be
I have a Norfolk southern railroad spike it has NS US Norfolk southern United steel on top
I wonder why they didn't add any new auxiliary lights to the new crossing.
8:12 I think the word you're looking for is _foundation._
Nice video.
did you try and get the mechanical bell?
Siemens S60's and NEG e Bells. What else is new
Amtrak's Silver Metor and Palmetto and Auto Train Passes through Benson along with CSX Freight
Rip to those mechanical bells. Kinda of sad that they're are becoming a thing of the past. In fact there are only a few mechanical bells on the line I live on.
I know right. It's sad to see mechanical bells. And railroad companies get rid of them. Seeing them become a thing in the past.
I want them to put the old signals back
@Trainmancolt22711 CSX Will More Likely Scrap Them
Well that’s ok. Why did they replace them? There was nothing wrong with the crossing.
@@trainmancolt22711it’s bc it’s getting old
@@trainmancolt22711i know right i want the old WC hayes mechanical bell back
I do like the new signals.
Why are there replacing it
I can't seem to think of a good reason myself, because management said so I guess and that's why management ruins everything.
Well, one thing I hear at 11:48 is a big voltage drop. Once the gate mechanisms engage to drive the gate down, the voltage drops enough to lower frequency of the bell ring. You can then hear it speed up again right before it turns off.
State of North Carolina DOT seems to be providing a lot of money for crossing signal upgrades across the state, especially on major rail lines, some even with quad gates.
What is state? I live jeffersonville Indiana
What kind of mechanical bell was it
Western Cullen Hayes.
Did you ask for the bell?
No she or he probably did not.
Cantilevers are definitely the new fad in railroad crossings. They're everywhere now.
They've had those cantilever signals forever. They're definitely nothing new.
@gaffneyrailroading1982 I'm sure you're right, but a lot of smaller towns didn't get them until recently, making them seem to be something new. Cities have had them for a long time, but when my little hometown in Virginia got them, it just seemed like overkill. Six pairs of lights for each direction is a lot when there only used to be two.
New bell is great
Hell no mechanical bell 🔛🔝
@@jdoggez2083The old one was a WCH mechanical bell. I wish it was still at the railroad crossing
@emrywright the new bells are NEG electronic bells.
@@jdoggez2083u are right
Everyone has a preference. I prefer electronic bells more but it was still a shame the m bells are gone.
I totally would of asked for that mechanical bell
Benson is near me
Sucks that the m bell was replaced:(
The stupid part is that CSX installed a whole new signal there already and the other one only has its original mast and light frames and bell. No wonder railroads can't afford new stuff.
Was probably hit by a vehicle at some point and knocked over the older one.
ARGENTINO
They could have just installed the cantilever.. They did a great job of overdoing it😅
What a waste...
Very likely that the parts for the older safetran mechanisms were too expensive/not made anymore and therefore replacing the whole setup was more cost effective in the long run.