I am looking into installing a Grade crossing w operating gates and lights. (US type) It will be a 2 lane road crossing with 2 main tracks, that also has a siding switch a few inches before the crossing. I have installed operating lights on crossings a couple times but have not attempted anything with gates. If you have experience and any comments on how you did it, and the MFGR used, would be greatly appreciated. Regards
MTH makes some. Walthers catalog $200+ but has ringing bell. Tomars version is about $150 no sound. They use a photo sensor for dcc that sets off a switch machine linkage that lowers the gate sets off the lights and raises once last car passes. I think Aztek makes them too? Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk
Is it two lanes in each direction or one in each ? I found these while looking for some I am going to need soon. http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/nji/nji1165.htm
[video=youtube;PuWA-DcqQv0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuWA-DcqQv0&index=42&list=UUm22rGLX1EsK12V1CrckhJQ[/video]I have three sets of crossing lights with gates, and one without gates on my HO scale layout, using NJI lights/gates, with AZATRAX controllers and tortoise motors. If you like to run your trains at "nighttime" (or lowered lights), then photocells will not work; you will need to use infrared detectors. Using quality controllers is important, because the cheaper ones do not detect when a train has left the crossing, so the lights flash for 20-30 seconds after it starts. Quite unrealistic IMO. The AZATRAX controllers shut the lights off and raises the gates 5 seconds after the last car has passed through the detector. AZATRAX also has setups for double-track operations. Here's some videos from my layout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFHcX3XeQAs&list=UUm22rGLX1EsK12V1CrckhJQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68cmheaWJUg&list=UUm22rGLX1EsK12V1CrckhJQ&index=11 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYpwSvfZeIw&index=34&list=UUm22rGLX1EsK12V1CrckhJQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuWA-DcqQv0&index=42&list=UUm22rGLX1EsK12V1CrckhJQ
A superb layout. I wish you could see John A.'s layout in person. There is so much animation and lighted buildings with interiors and the icing on the cake is the working crossing guards. He has a few tricks up his sleeve he hasn't shared here. I'm not going to let the cat out of the bag. The one male is having to much fun playing in it. Grin!
I know I'm late here but, this is exactly how I would LOVE to have my crossing gates look and operate! I like how the flashing stop signals aren't too blinking too fast nor too slowly, are they adjustable speed led's? My current HO layout was started many years ago when I was a kid, than stopped, than started again, than stopped again, recently started once again, this time with plans to finally finish it. It has no crossing gates and just regular old 12v bulb signals, they don't flash or blink, kinda boring and lifeless. I was looking at these http://www.hobbylinc.com/nj-crossin...ssbuck-ho-scale-model-railroad-accessory-1161
