I know a lot of you are using Custom Signals on your layouts. I am interested in hearing about what crossing gates you may be using and how you have integrated them into the signal system or alternatively if you have just wired them up independently.
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We used to have crossing gates on the club layout, but they covered two tracks and there was so much traffic that the motors started heating up. We replaced them with flashing crossbucks.
Basically, MTH makes some which trigger from insulated rail or ITAD (Infrared Track Activation Device). In either case, the sensor is sent to common to activate the gates.
Z-stuff makes some gates (I think they're out of stock right now) which will activate optically via infrared sensor or using insulated rail.
Walthers crossing gates are movable, but lack motors. You can use sideways-mounted Tortoise motors to lower/raise them, but some fancy electrical work would be required using DPDT relays and a DC power source for the machines. The relay coil can be tripped using insulated rail or an ITAD.
Hope this helps.
Custom Signals makes great products, but, as Terry says, "Custom Signals doesn't do motion." I believe that the Custom Signals crossing controller will activate gates too, if you install them. My recommendation for realism would be the free-standind gates made by NJ International, and activated by a tortoise motor.
NJ seems to allow itms to go out of stock and then produce different ones, so you might have to hunt for a pair of their gates.
I just checked the NJ International home page and the gates are listed: Numbers 3170 through 3173 at $49.95 a pair. They are not illustrated but are good looking signals.
Hi,
Could someone please tell me the difference between the 2 O-Scale crossing gates that NJ International offers? They offer a “Cabinet Type Base” & a “Pedestal Type Base Long Gate”. I like the gates at a railroad crossing near my house but I don’t know what type they are. I am interested in a set for my small O-Scale diorama. I wasn’t able to find the images on Google & I was wondering if anyone on this forum knew what each looks like.
Thanks,
Naveen Rajan
Hi,
Could someone please tell me the difference between the 2 O-Scale crossing gates that NJ International offers? They offer a “Cabinet Type Base” & a “Pedestal Type Base Long Gate”. I like the gates at a railroad crossing near my house but I don’t know what type they are. I am interested in a set for my small O-Scale diorama. I wasn’t able to find the images on Google & I was wondering if anyone on this forum knew what each looks like.
Thanks,
Naveen Rajan
Don't know about a "Long Gate". Both gates are about 4.75 inches from the
pivot point. The cabinet had black&white arms, the pedestal has red&white
arms.
Joe
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