Help With Lionel Highway Crossing

This video should help you understand how to make your crossing gate work with an insulated track section.

If you can, post a picture of what gragraves track you're using. That will allow someone to help with figuring out the best option to make an insulated track section without making cuts in your rails.

The section of track where you place the contactor cannot be nailed down. The track must be loose enough for the contactor to hold it up and then permit the weight of the train to push it down and switch on the signal.  Also, the thickness of a Gargraves tie may not permit the contactor to be adjusted. The old Lionel O style ties are not as thick.

The insulated rail method will require the removal of the Gargraves pins on one outside rail at the joints for the desired length. Say a 20" section or one curve and one straight. (Gargraves does have insulating pins, but, I think there will be enough of a gap with the regular pins removed.) Then, solder a wire to that rail and connect it to one terminal on the crossing. Connect the other crossing signal terminal directly to Accessory power on the transformer. The train wheels will then make the connection when in that area of track.

 Edit: Gargraves item 911 makes wire connections to the rails and item 800 are the insulating pins

http://www.gargraves.com/accessories.html