Created October 16, 2007
Crossing DOT #: 910714C
TOTAL
DAILY TRAINS: 0-8 (ESTIMATED)
Page written by WEHRAR17.
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A wide view looking west. |
Looking east. |
Closeup of the eastbound signal. |
Looking south. |
This crossing has two gateless signals with 6 pairs of 12" x 24" incandescent WCH lights, mounted on Premier masts and brackets. There are rather low-mounted 3 TRACKS signs, and a somewhat weak-sounding WCH mechanical bell on the westbound signal.
North Freedom is the location of a 4-mile branch line that bends south off of the WSOR/UP line from Madison. It was originally used to haul ore and quartzite from the mines to the main line, and is currently the location of the Mid-Continent Railway Museum. During the spring, summer and part of the fall, the museum operates 3 excursions daily on the line. All of their steam locomotives are currently out of service, so the museum uses an old diesel switcher on the trains.
The train activates the crossing 6 times daily, on the way out and back. Plus, the locomotive runs light over the crossing to pick up the train for the day's first run, and again to return to the shed after the last run is complete.
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Looking north. |
The relay case. |
Although it is hard to tell since the lights are in mid-flash, the crossing is in action here. |
A better shot, as the locomotive crosses. |
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Final action shot. These pictures were taken as the locomotive ran light over the crossing to return to the shed. The audio file below was taken when the last complete train of the day was coming back in. |
The reason this crossing's DOT number is so far out of sync with the DOT numbers along the connecting WSOR/UP line, is because the crossings on this minor branch line were not assigned DOT numbers until 1987, even though the line had been there for almost 80 years. Also, the reason these signals look so modern especially for a museum, is because they were not installed until 1996. The crossing was passive before that.
All pictures were taken on August 17, 2007.
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CLICK THE ICON TO THE LEFT TO HEAR THE CROSSING IN ACTION. (RECORDED AUGUST 7, 2007)
NOTE: YOU HEAR A SECOND MECHANICAL BELL RINGING SLOWLY IN THE CLIP. THE LEAD LOCOMOTIVE HAS THE BELL. |
TOTAL TIME: 1:06 1.02 MB |