Lionel Crossing Gate Trouble

I don't think these gates ever worked properly unless they are from the newest batch.

These look like they are from the newest batch of gates. If these are a recent purchase I would exchange them or call Lionel for service.

Did you follow the instructions closely when installing them?

 

The activation tracks go one on each side of the crossing. They each have a break in one of the outer rails.

 

The breaks must be on the same side,i.e in line with each other on either end of the crossing.

 

If you look on the underside of the crossing itself it says on which side rail the breaks in the activation track should line up with in relation to the crossing itself, make sure they do.

 

The track must be assembled correctly in order for the gates to work.

 

If you line up the rail breaks with the mark on the underside of the track and it still doesn't work you may have a defective unit. I would try to exchange it with another one where you got it if possible.

 

It's all covered in the printed instructions, of course, but long ago we (LHS) gave up believing people actually read the instructions.  Since so many of these were brought in for malfunction return, we decided to sell the Fastrack gates and/or flashers ONLY after demonstrating proper setup to the customer.  It's helped a lot, but not entirely.

 

The other bugaboo is the two half sections of track with the gapped outer rail.  Since many of the customer layouts are seasonal, those two pieces of track tend to lose their special identity in a storage container of all the track pieces.  A year or two later we're back at the store...'defective gates' but no trigger tracks, no instruction book...complaining.  It would be nice if Lionel would put some special identity on those two pieces of track topside so a) they would alert someone to their special feature, and b) indicate which rail has the gap (it's not easily seen unless you're looking for it).  One customer, taking our advice and being especially creative, glued a couple of styrene flags to the track base, extending out an extra inch or so on the gap side of each of the trigger tracks.  He then glued a whistle signpost to the flag...appropriate and MUCH more easily identifiable for, particularly, the younger generation to deal with.

All that having been said, it's still a less-than-robust design for the 'toy' market, IMHO....but really cool when it's working well! 

 

Best of all the features?....the sound on/off switch!!!  Of course, I must admit I was happily mesmerized myself by the repetitive buzz of the 145 gateman's actuation for every trip of Dad's train around the Christmas tree 65 years ago!  Nowadays, though, the repetitive up-and-down gear grind and the crossing bell sound?....not so much!! 

 

KD

KD,

 

And I thought we were the only train shop going through all of that regarding those crossing gates. We usually suggest marking the underside of the track with a "Sharpie" to keep things straight. The 'W' signpost is a great idea to suggest also.

 

Thanks,

 

 

       
       
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Just tried it with them both on the same side and nothing happened. I first tried it with my 2055 Hudson, and it didn't work. Thinking it was possibly the engine, I tried my Williams GP9, still nothing. I cleaned the track thoroughly and got the same results.

Disconnect both gates from the track and try powering them directly from the transformer to see that they both operate properly. If one or both do not, they need repair. If they work properly and consistantly, then the wiring to the track needs to be checked. See here for a video tutorial on getting these gates to work with the activation tracks.

 

Larry

       
       


I'll have to either call Lionel or take them to my local hobby shop. Nothing is working.

If testing seperate from the track, use a DC power source. There's a rectifier under the main track that converts track power to DC for the gate motors. One polarity for up, the other for down. You could fry the motors trying to power them directly from the AC output of a transformer.

 

Also, the gaps in the short sections need to line up with the outside rail closest to the On/Off switch on the crossing gate section. It doesn't work if their lined up with the opposite outside rail.

 

 

Assuming the electrical hookup is correct, up and down motion is accomplished by two gears.  If the gear spacing is incorrect. they will slip or not engage at all.  The motor will hum, the gate may go down but not up or not work at all.  It is a manufacturing defect not easily corrected.  I advise a return to Lionel for replacement.  Way too expensive to tolerate.

 

Pete S

If these gates are like mine the older style and it looks like they are,  I think you may need a relay that will give power up once the train enters the activation area and then double throw and power them down after the train leaves the operating track activation area. I had a lot of help from a forum member...It's my understanding you can also use this sensor and the sensor would probably be easier to wire.

http://www.lionel.com/Products/Finder/ProductDetail.cfm?ProductNumber=6-14111&CategoryID=39

 

2 Chronicles 7:14