Lionel crossing gate

The lights should come on at the same moment the gates drop down. The lights should alternate/flash as well. Sounds like you'll have to send it to Lionel for service if the lights aren't coming on.

I have my isolated section spread about 1-1/2 track sections in either direction. I made my own isolated section (on curved track due to the approach) with a Dremel tool, cutting the rail to create a circuit break. Works nice, so that when the train approaches the gates drop for 3 seconds before the train makes the crossing and the gates raise 2-3 seconds after the caboose or last car passes. Of course, timing depend on how fast you are running the train.

The "lights" on the gates do not light up. If you look closely, there are no bulbs or wires.

I assume you are using an ITAD. To get the gates to work solely as a function of positioning on a block you would need and insulated outside rail and a relay.

The method is explained here. The diagram for the MTH crossing gates is similar to that of the Lionel ones.


http://www.jcstudiosinc.com/Bl...d=410&categoryId=426

Dale H

If you want the gates to drop sooner and stay down longer, you have to add more insulated track sections. You can make these yourself by removing the grounding straps across the 2 outside rails under 10" sections of track and installing the track sections between the crossing and the 5" piece that comes with the crossing, on ea side of the crossing.

Like what was already said, the lights on the gates themselves do not light up. Only the Cross- Bucks light and flash.

Dale H, everything is built into the FasTrack Crossings, Gated and non-gated. You don't use relays or any other detection devise. You just add insulated sections to make them come down sooner and stay down longer