In purchasing a Modern Over The Road Combo Crossing Gantry Plus Gate item No. #1192 from NJ International. Im going to operate this unit with DCC. How do you hook up a motorized crossing gate with DCC? I have a Digitrax DB150. I will also implement sound with the RR crossing unit. What type of decoder and sound decoder should I use that will allow me to download RR crossing bell sounds?
The only need for DCC is if you are using DCC detection and something like the Digitrax Loconet to route the signals(and you would need a computer interface as well. All very do-able, and I would look at the JMRI web site for more information. You will need detection, logic(computer), and decoders to drive all of this stuff. Wasting a sound decoder on a 'ringing bell' seems to be a little overkill unless this is a 'techno' demonstration.
You can use IR/photocell sensing to drive the signal, and nothing has to be attached to the DCC system. LogicRail and South Bend Signal both have good 'stand-a-lone' systems with flasher/crossing gate controls, and even the ring bell sound from at least one of them.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin