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Hello everyone!

 

I would like to put a crossing gate on my layout. I Need only one gate because you can's the the other side of the street on the layout. I have found three versions from Tomar, NJ International, and MTH.

 

Can you give me an advice which one is a good one? And question number two: NJ International provides an "A-Type-Arm" and "Bar-Type-Arm". What's the difference here?

 

Thanks a lot and regards from Germany

Lars

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As I recall, the Walthers gates replicate the early steam-operated gates which were thrown manually by a gateman. Never having seen one operate, with steam I suspect the movement was fairly rapid.

 

The MTH gates operate off insulated rail or infrared sensors that complete the accessory power circuit. They're more modern and the movement is slower. You could trigger those with under-track reflective sensors, current sensing or a combination of the two.

 

The NJI gates need an actuator wire extending below the layout to a sideways-mounted tortoise machine. Reversing the machine can be a bit tricky, but is doable.

Information on controlling them can be found here.

 

Hope this helps.

The MTH gates take a relay, if you don't use the IR sensor.  Two rail would require some input other than an insulated rail/common input that works with three rail. MTH Gate failure usually involves the small plastic drive gear in the base of the unit. It splits and slips on the drive shaft. There is required adjustment on the down and up limits, back side of the control box. Here are some pictures and additional information.

The relay that I used.

Top down.
Brown/Black    Accessory/track common to the relay board and the gate.
Red   Accessory power to the relay board and the gate.
Green   Insulated rail input that causes the gates to activate.
Blue    Gate power common.  Gate to relay board.
Yellow  NO (Normally open in the de-energized state), gate powers down.  Gate to relay board.
White   NC (Normally closed in the de-energized state), gate powers up. Gate to relay board.
Colors listed should match colors on the MTH gates.

The MTH gates are supplied with longer arms. Short arms pictured.

Last edited by Mike CT

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