The wire to the tortoise is plenty stiff enough to hold the gate up and pull it down or visa versa. They weigh very little.
Springfield PA
I see a wire at the center below the gates, it appears to support the gates while in the "down" position? Are you referring to the usual method of a wire attached to the "weights" opposite of the gate?
John
Brass Hat, Gulf and Pacific Railroad HO/HOn3 (Modelled to represent mid 1960's) Big Bear Lake, CA. For pictures and videos of the layout please see below:
YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/jostaiii?feature=mhee
Photobucket: http://s584.photobucket.com/albums/ss287/josta1954/
It's just a good install. You can see the wire moving on the right hand side one.
How DID this guy do it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLghka78MeU
He said he removed the center pull wire on these NJ crossing gates and used "two remote cables and one Tortoise"..but I do not see how the gates come up! Any ideas?