So, Sam, whatcha gonna do?
Rich
Alton Junction
In the interest of keeping it simple, I use the Busch crossing flashers, which come with a flasher unit. I also use a crossing bell circuit with a small speaker under the crossing. I just use a toggle switch, on the fascia, to keep it simple. It protects a double track mainline in both directions, with just a toggle switch. Works day or night, with no fine tuning.
ollevon Good morning to all, I am getting to the point where I will need two pair of crossing gates. I like the idea of M.T.H. all in one crossing gates, but would like some information from some of you that have them. Pros& Cons ? Thanks to all in advance, Sam
Good morning to all,
I am getting to the point where I will need two pair of crossing gates. I like the idea of M.T.H. all in one crossing gates, but would like some information from some of you that have them. Pros& Cons ?
Thanks to all in advance,
Sam
I too have a grade crossing that needs some protection. I want to do the set up they have in Melrose MA, where Wyoming Street crosses a double track line. They have gates, and the gates have flashing red lights on them, they have flashing cross bucks, and a ringing bell. After dark it put on such a nice light show you didn't really mind sitting there stuck in traffic on your way home from work. Being a retired electronic circuit designer, I thought it would be cool to make my own controller. I was thinking of using photo transistors for train detection, the the passing train blocks light from the photo transistor, causing it to turn off, the collector goes high to signal train present. Since I have two tracks, the "shine an IR LED across the tracks into the photo transistor" design is attractive. Otherwise I'd have to bury a phototransistor under each track, a total of four phototransistors. I assume you can buy photo transistors that only react to IR. At least that's what I would want to make the IR remote control receiver in a TV set. The electronic logic does something like this. Train detected east, OR train detected west OR less than a short time since train stopped being detected, then LOWER_GATE is true. The time delay prevents brief flashes of light such as inbetween cars or when a flat car goes by from causing the gates to go up. Use a retriggerable one-shot multivibrator chip to realize the sort time delay. There used to be a 74HC one shot part, I'll have to look up the number and the datasheet.
Use a 555 timer to flash the various LEDs (four on the crossbucks, four or six on the gates) and a ding-ding circuit for the bell. Use a tortoise to raise and lower the gates. Consider scratch building the gates and the crossbucks. Buy if budget permits. Check surplus houses for a ding ding chip. Look for a kids toy that goes ding-ding. Hide a 3 or 4 inch speaker under to table to make the bell ring. Depending upon the strength of the ding-ding chip, perhaps an audio amplifier is needed. There are single chip audio amps with enough power to drive a small speaker. Build the whole circuit on a perf board. Power the whole thing with a five volt wall wart.
Suggestions?
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
Thanks guys,
That information was helpful.
I, like richotrain, purchased separate components instead of a 'system' such as that offered by MTH. The main difference in my setup is the use of Logic Rail Technologies' Grade Crossing Pro and infrared emitter-detector pairs aimed across the track instead of a current sensor.
Most pre-built systems rely on overhead lighting and a photo-sensor between the rails. The biggest drawback to these systems are, if you turn off or dim the overhead lighting, the gates will never shut off. With infrared aimed across the track, the layout lighting has no effect at all.
http://www.logicrailtech.com/gcp.htm
I even have this system set up on a large HO scale club layout, with high-output IR emitters aimed across double tracks and it still works very well.
That's my issue with this. It costs $200 to make one! Seems like enough people would want it so it would be cheaper. My son has been bugging me for one, and I am avoiding doing it because its expensive.
Sam,
I do not have the MTH system, and I have no familiarity with it.
That said, I will offer the following comments.
To install a complete system, you need five separate components to complete the installation:
I use the Tomar Industries crossing signals without gates. I use the NCE BD20 as a my occupancy detection unit, and a Circuitron alternating flasher unit to control the lights.. I do not have operating bells on my layout. I am very satisfied with my system. It operates flawlessly and looks very realistic.
Regarding the MTH system, I have seen videos and the gates on either side of the crossing do not seem to operate in synch. Something to consider.
If you were to purchase the Tomar Industries crossing signals with gates, the system incudes a pair of signals and gates and a pair of Tortoises and controlling linkages for a retail cost of $182. The flasher unit ($20), bell unit ($30), and detection unit ($15) must be purchased separately. Of course, all of these prices are retail, and all of the components can be purchased at discount prices.
Just my thoughts.