Finally got a wig-wag crossing signal to the point that it operates completely, with light and motion! The signal is from NJI and I illuminated it with a tiny LED and powered it with a motor from Faller. The motor, temporarily installed for now, will be hidden in a building with a small push rod (.008 wire) connecting it to the signal. The signal comes on automatically with the approach of a train. It is connected to another automatic grade crossing system, with bell, flasher and operating gates, about a scale block away. Man I love this stuff! Russ [ 03 April 2001: Message edited by: tehachapifan ] [ 25 May 2001: Message edited by: tehachapifan ]
Russ, do you have any pictures i'd love to see them. I have a crossing on my layout with crossbucks i made myself. I have still to automate the crossing but i hope to do so once the layout extension is finished
Thanks Alan! Sorry Paul, no photos as of yet. We recently purchased a digital camera but we can't load the software because my CD driver is broken. Your shot looks great, though! The crossing I have (with the gates) operates from a Marson kit. This kit uses a Circuitron Tortoise Machine that operates the gates from under the layout. The "extra" connectors (and the power lead) on the Tortoise Machine is what activates the nearby wig-wag signal. I'll work on trying to get photos (got to coax a friend to come over n' fix this computer! ). Russ [ 03 April 2001: Message edited by: tehachapifan ]
Maybe you could get a cottage industry going with this one. Just try to keep it basic with good instructions, so some one like myself could purchase it and assemble it. Now how about some crossing gates that don't cost a fortune.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Alan: Russ, you are a clever devil <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> What Alan said, Russ! We should meet up on time for a little railfanning in Tehachapi! (I haven been through Tehach. but never stopped to rail fan!!
Thanks guys! An article is an interesting idea...might have to think about that. The complexity of the whole thing lies in the activation part of it. As I mentioned, it activates thru the extra contacts and power lead of a Tortoise machine that lowers gates at a crossing a block away. Marson & Lowe, who made the activation system for that other crossing, are thinking about going OOB, so I'm not sure if this can still be done (although I think Circuitron may have come out with something similar). Let me Know if someone would like to see a pic of the other crossing with working gates. Russ p.s. I'll give you a call next time I'm headed to the hills, Craig. We're a good 8 hours away...might be awhile
Very well done Russ! Yes I would enjoy seeing photos of the other crossing, both above and below surface. Your engine work and scenery look just great also!
Parallax offers a BASIC Stamp microprocessor that can do this. I even have a program for a model railroad crossing gate controller. Photocells are embedded between the rails and the BASIC Stamp detects the train, activates LEDs and flashes them alternately, as well as miniature servos (used in model airplanes) to activate crossing gates. The servos are under the board and small wires connected to the servos pull the wires which pull the gates down. The speed is slow enough and looks realistic. The BASIC Stamp could also activate a sound module. The BASIC Stamp is pricey. It used to be about $50 for the chip alone. Berkshire Junction and others make photocell and infrared detector systems and some use the micro servos to activate the gates. Hope this helps! MagicBill http://www.high-techmagic.com
