Grade Crossing Signals

http://www.azatrax.com

Look no further 

Erik C Lindgren posted:

http://www.azatrax.com

Look no further 

I concur. Azatrax sensors can be used with several brands of signals. MTH has a pretty nice pair of signals with sound (part number 30-11014) that are very simple to connect -- 2-wire hookup for each signal and for the sound box (basically, some type of switch like the Azatrax sensor module to switch on the power). As I recall, they can be run on as little as 9VDC (which is probably better for the regulator, anyway).

Have you looked at Z-stuff.net? They have a optical sensor built into the crossing gate that needs no special wiring just add two wires for power. Or you can add two wired sensors along your tracks for full detection.

Perfect timing on this thread as I'll be adding a crossing to my layout soon as well.

There are many complaints about the reliability or signal activation of the MTH,Lionel, and ZStuff ITADS.

Eric and Matt, I'm under the assumption that the Azatrax sensors work better??

Whats the limit of the span across the tracks between sensors? With a double track mainline I know I would need four of the ITADS from the other vendors I mentioned above.

I was thinking of going with the MTH crossing signals with sound too.

Azatrax, well he is a brilliant engineer and he designs and builds right here in Colorado. His automated road signal gates are awesome. Contact him and ask for assistance if he can't help you he will provide you with information for someone who can. 

One of my favorites, which seems to be hard to find now are Z stuff's automatic flagman. ( wig wags). They work well, are scale sized and have a illuminated moving banner, and vintage bell sound. Great for modeling 1930's-1980's.

We also just finished freshening up these and re-releasing the great Crossing Signals that John Keil designed. We make 2 different styles, one with a bell and without depending on the era your modeling. They come as a easy to put together kit and include 2 LEDs.

Without Bell

http://www.scalecitydesigns.co...unpainted_p_312.html

With Bell

http://www.scalecitydesigns.co...unpainted_p_311.html

Either kit is just $22!

We also have Relay Boxes and Battery Vaults which will be on our site next week as seen in the picture above.

Don't forget our great grade crossing with real wood feel made from resin for 2 rail track

Grade Crossing kit is just $9.95 each (unpainted)

http://www.scalecitydesigns.co...Y-DETAILED_p_15.html

Those are fabulous signals Scale City! Pair those with Azatrax detection and function and wow 

I've ordered two with bells, Marty.

Thanks. 

Cheers

Now I need to find a unit to detect the train and turn on the flashing lights and play the bell sound.  I have a device which will play sounds when switched on.  I have the sounds of waves and seagulls in one of them.  I'll contact the maker to get him to make me one with crossing bells.

If I send him the sound file, he'll load it into his unit for me.

Azatrax sounds like just the ticket, although I haven't been impressed with other brands of infra-red detectors.  More research needed.

They came out at A$93.77  Sheesh!

I'm glad that they were on special. 

The opening video Erik did for Colo O Scalers show the Expo Flyer activating the Kiel line/Scale City signals with Azatrax sensors on the High Plains Route. They have worked perfectly.       

Yes.  They seem very good, Jefferson.

I'm interested as to whether the unit can switch the sound unit on and off.  It sounds like it will flash the LEDs.

Because the train will not be passing through, it will need to latch and unlatch with one pair of IR units.

I will send them an email.

Cheers

Max, I have a bell that is activated with the signals and a cutoff switch for the bell. It becomes quite annoying after awhile.  

Heh Heh.  I know, Jefferson. 

How do you get the bell sound?

Since we are talking signals here...

I just bought my first set of MTH 30-11012 crossing gates, no sound.   I was planning on doing a simple isolated outside rail as a signal block to activate them. When I opened and tested them I see that they have 5 wires and are powered in both directions. I also noticed that the motor stays energized as long as the block is active. I am guessing I will need a DPDT relay to wire these correctly? I don't have room to use an IR detector where I am planning on placing them on the layout.

Any advice would be appreciated.

This will help.

John H posted:

This will help.

John H- perfect! what I was missing was that the blue wire was the common for the up and down function. makes perfect sense now.

Thanks from a fellow New Yorker!

I'm also in the process of putting a crossing light set in a 2 crossings. I got a link someone gave me that I'm thinking about. That's Berkshire Junction Model Railroad Supplies. From people that have these, how well do the sensors work? Also are these very good crossing lights. Here's there sight - http://www.berkshirejunction.com/    Under the tab on there site labeled Scenery Products is where there at. Just curious to know the product quality from them.

Max, The bell is just an old style doorbell I got from Jon at Azatrax, bell, external striker, solenoids, really old style. Probably available from multiple sources. Jon designed a setup for two road crossing of double track and the bell activator, very easy installation.  Totally reliable and reasonable price as I said.    

Thanks, Jefferson.

John at Azatrax has answered my email.  We are having a discussion about how to proceed.  My layout is run by computer control (you can still drive manually), so the detection/feedback system is already there.  I just need to understand how to interface the MRD-8 with the software.

I'm pretty confident that I will be able to achieve that, so the question about the unlatching becomes redundant.

Don't buy MTH, the crossing arms no longer work on 2 out of 4 units.

          JUNK.................

Scale City Designs posted:

We also just finished freshening up these and re-releasing the great Crossing Signals that John Keil designed. We make 2 different styles, one with a bell and without depending on the era your modeling. They come as a easy to put together kit and include 2 LEDs.

 

Wow are those nice!  When the time comes I will surely look in to these....what a great addition to a layout.

I have the mth signals with bell I also brought a itad.Talk about giving one a headace.No matter what I tryed the itad seemed to be off.I went and picked up a replacement itad.At the same time I got zstuff signals.I have not installed them yet.I got the itad to work.I have only one itad thought about getting another one.But why my open another can of worms.I will find a spot for the zstuff signals.

I have the mth signals with bell I also brought a itad.Talk about giving one a headace.No matter what I tryed the itad seemed to be off.I went and picked up a replacement itad.At the same time I got zstuff signals.I have not installed them yet.I got the itad to work.I have only one itad thought about getting another one.But why my open another can of worms.I will find a spot for the zstuff signals.

SIRT posted:

Don't buy MTH, the crossing arms no longer work on 2 out of 4 units.

          JUNK.................

SIRT what a beautiful scene; your layout is gorgeous 

I have the mth signals with bell I also brought a itad.Talk about giving one a headace.No matter what I tryed the itad seemed to be off.I went and picked up a replacement itad.At the same time I got zstuff signals.I have not installed them yet.I got the itad to work.I have only one itad thought about getting another one.But why my open another can of worms.I will find a spot for the zstuff signals.

I like the Azatrax sensors as they can be mounted under the track in "reflective" mode. I use those in the staging yard to activate a turnout to allow trains to proceed onto the through track and automatically throw it back when the next train comes through. They've worked reliably since I put them in through hundreds of triggers.

Erik, thanks for the info on Azatrax's offerings

I knew the boffins on my forum would come up with the answer. 

http://www.azatrax.com/install-DBD-1.pdf

If I put an induction coil on the dropper going from the bus to the Block detector; to the track, the DBD will operate relays which can switch the bell and LED flasher units on (and off.)

That way if the computer control is off, I can still run trains manually and have a detected grade crossing.

Excellento! 

Has anybody ever looked at the Custom Signals line of crossing signals?   I have several sets of these and they are really nice.   Plus, they come in a two signal set, with the detector board.   Even though Terry Christopher is "out of business", I understand he still has these on hand.    Just another make to ponder.  Only issue is, he no longer makes the nice Safetran type S gate signals that he had when he first started his line of signals.......

I sent Terry an email last week and have not had a reply back. I also like the looks of his signals.

I've just received a nice email from John Parsons to let me know that my DBD-1 is on the way. 

OK  I've stripped and repainted the two signals.  While I was at it, I filed off a few more bits of flash that I had missed first time around.

Then I fitted up the replacement LEDs.

I installed the ITTP bell module and Short Circuits flasher unit.

And here it is . . .

I think the flasher is a tad fast, but that's for another day.

And finally, the Azatrax Block Detector is added and tested with the combine.

Yaay!  It works!

These brass crossing signals are No. O-862 by Tomar Industries.

Here is a photo of an Illinois Terminal crossing flasher signal that I scratched built from a photo.
I was only able to find a side view of the signal.

The prototype sat in the middle of the road on the South side of the tracks on 5th Street in Auburn Illinois. The North side of the tracks was protected by a regular cross buck sign.

A short clip. Jim