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Date: 3/31/24.
Camera: Sony Handycam FDR-AX53.
Locomotive consist:
PNWR 2312 - EMD GP39-2 - ATSF Bluebonnet - Narrow Font K3LA
PNWR 2314 - EMD GP39-2 - G&W
PNWR 2311 - EMD GP39-2 - Patched ATSF Bluebonnet
PNWR 2303 - EMD GP39-2 - G&W
PNWR 2317 - EMD GP39-2 - G&W
This crossing is located on the PNWR Oregon Electric District.
Bell sequence: Bells ring until gates rise.
Horn setting: Horn zone.
Safetran EM signal on the left: 2 pairs of Safetran 12x20" lights with Leotek IL Series LEDs, a RACO mechanical bell, and NEG Alstom-Aurora style LED gate lights.
Safetran EM signal on the right: 1 pair of Safetran 12x20" lights with Leotek IL Series LEDs, 1 pair of Safetran 12x24" lights with Leotek IL Series LEDs, a RACO mechanical bell, and NEG Alstom-Aurora style LED gate lights.
While heading southbound on the I-5, I heard some EOT device noises coming from my scanner, which meant there was a train nearby. As I knew there was nothing lined on the UP Brooklyn Sub at that time, I looked towards the PNWR Oregon Electric District. I soon saw what appeared to be PNWR 664 creeping northbound along the line, so I found the nearest exit, and turned around and headed back northbound in hopes of beating it to this crossing. I thankfully arrived with lots of time to spare. 30 minutes later, the crossing activated, and PNWR 664 came rolling through with a quintet of GP39-2s for power, the unpatched ATSF Bluebonnet leading too.
As you can see, this crossing is a very nice one, and was one of my main targets in the Willamette Valley. It features a pair of classic EM signals, which have become very rare to find in most places nowadays, complete with both original mechanical bells. Coming into more detail, the signals are early Safetran EMs likely installed by the Burlington Northern in the early 1970s (around 1971-1972, while RACO bells still came with installs mostly branded Safetran by that point). Numerous changes have occurred with the signals of course, with the original Safetran 12" lights being retrofitted with the Leotek IL Series LED inserts in 2013, and the gate arms replaced numerous times (with the most recent happening between 2019 and 2023). Overall, what a cool crossing to have been able to record. This is also the last crossing on the Portland & Western System to feature both a pair of EM signals and a pair of mechanical bells at the same crossing, as the rest of the EM gates on the system either have only one EM gate and a pair of mechanical bells or a pair of EM gates and only one mechanical bell.
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10 сен 2024
