crossing signals

[wfa]

I have been looking for information on using insulated track to operate crossing signals. I can't remember where I saw an article but I do believe I have seen something on this. If someone know the way to do this I would appreciate it.

[CKCECB]

Basically, one wire will go to accessory power or center rail power, and the other wire will go to the insulated outer rail.  When a metal wheelset bridges the powered outer rail to the insulated outer rail, the signal will turn on.  Much better than using a pressure contactor.

[lionelsoni]

Older crossing signals, like the Lionel 154, used a special contactor, the 154C, to produce a not-very-realistic flashing of the two red lights.  (http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/cd/accs/acc154p1.pdf)  This is not something that would be easy to duplicate with an insulated control rail.

Otherwise, you would need to have a signal that included the necessary electronics to do the flashing when turned on by a control rail, or to add those electronics to something like a 154.  I and others have posted circuits for doing this.

Do you understand how a control rail works?  It is just an insulated section of one outside rail.  You wire the control rail and the common rail on the other side of the track, the accessory, and its power supply all in series.  The power supply usually (but not necessarily) has a connection with the track common.  If you can give describe your transformer and crossing signal, we can be more specific.

[overall]

I use a pre-built circuit board from Dallee Electronics for my 154 crossing signal. It flashes the two lights in a realistic manner. I actuate the board with an insulated control rail as described above.Its a good solution if you are not inclined to build your own circuit board.

George

 

[ADCX Rob]

Click on the image below for a larger view:

[Buckeye Riveter]

Ditto to Rob's posting.  You can use toothpicks for the insulating pin or cut a wooden kabob stick to length. 

[steve24944]

I picked up a copy of Easy electronic Projects for Toy Trains at a local hobby shop some time ago.

See this link to see the book   http://www.abebooks.com/book-search/isbn/0897784014/page-1/ 

The book has a how to build a circuit for the 154 highway crossing signal.  I built this circuit for my layout using parts from radio shack and it works quite well and was fun to build.

Steve

[wfa]

Thanks to everyone who posted an answer to my question. They were all very helpful and I am going to get started making insulated track. Again thanks very much.