I too have a small layout and decided that the gate crossing sorts of accessories would be best operated by toggle or momentary switches. The advantage of that too, is not having the reduction of power to the track (if you're using track power without an accessory voltage post) via the operating accessory.
Another advantage is being able to customize the voltage to the accessory by using a separate accessory transformer. The small starter set transformers are really cheap and very useful for this type of thing.
Now my crossing gate is a MARX/K-Line version that has served me well for many years. But I was doing some wiring work on my control panel, and inadvertently hit the switch for the crossing gate. It had been on for maybe 5 minutes before I had noticed what I'd done. At that point, it had melted the inner chamber of the solenoid. Luckily for me, I had another one from my previous larger layout. So I was able to replace it easily.
Lesson learned. Now whether having yours on an insulated track section would do the same...? I think the break from the train passing would be enough to keep it from getting as hot as mine did. But mine was constantly on: And that was the thing that did mine in.
But I still like the idea of using buttons versus insulated track sections. I have several crossing items and don't need them all operating with every passing of the train. Having buttons allows a higher level of operator involvement. And in the case of kids, one can be running the train, while another is activating the crossing gate, banjo signal, crossing flasher, etc.
