So, when I first got into model railroading (3-4 years ago for the curious), in the summer I bought an HO scale Tyco Plymouth Switcher. That X-mas, I received a starter set and a bachmann crossing gate. I have not been able to use the gate, since part of my fleet is made up of older locos, some going back to the 60's, and for some reason, it doesn't like old locomotives. The old engines stop in their tracks (Nice pun am I right?) on the middle of the gate. The gate works simply. A plate in the middle of the tracks is pushed down when something goes over it, pushing some flaps that connect to the gates. I am unable to find the problem, either being the horn hooks, or wheel flanges. If someone knows how to fix this, please help
It sounds like the loco is bottoming out, and getting hung up on the plate that it's suppose to push down, to make the gates work.
Another possibility is the wheel flanges on the locos are big enough that they actuall raise the loco off the tracks enough, to stop it.
It could be some of both.
Is that section of track getting power?
What are the locos that your trying run on this? manufacturer? whatever info you can give.
Mike.
My You Tube
Thanks! After testing, almost all the older locomotives bottom out, every manufacturer. All except one, a late 70s Lionel HO GP30, which has been modified with newer wheels and kadee couplers. Also, I was already subscribed to your channel as Kyle Train Productions. Thank you for the help.
Modelling Modern day Chicago. Norfolk Southern 4 life!
Amtrak 42,
In the upper right side of this page in the ''Search the Community'' box, spell out ''crossing gate foiled by rp25''. It's a Tyco item although but may be somewhat like your Bachmann item.
I had the Tyco one and it definitely worked by having that long piece of plastic pushed down by the gearboxes of the locos, not the flanges. The spring would have lifted those lightweight train set cars right off the rails if it was the wheel flanges that activated it.
But the big plastic bar should push down far enough to allow the loco to slide over it, not lift the loco off the rails and lose power. Perhaps the mechanism is jamming and preventing it from depressing fully.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I received a similar gate, but with the crossing arm.
Make sure the piece of track is receiving adequatte power. Test this w/ a voltage meter. What I do is I simply move my terminal closer, or use a Atlas connector to attach a terminal closer to the gate. That way, you can ensure adequatte power is being brought through the track. Also, make sure your rail joiners are not loose.