I'm building fms first layout getting to the point of needing a couple of sets of railroad crossing signals. Seems like they come in all shapes and sizes. Is there one that is more reliable and better than the rest?
thank you all in advance for the help
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depends if you are looking for scale or toy train type. I like the American Flyer,I rewire them to flash. The MTH scale ones with red LEDs work OK for me,I have some of those. If using any signals with LEDs be sure to protect them from voltage spikes.
Dale H
Yes,
i am trying to stay true to scale. Has anyone used the z stuff signals. They look pretty good
I use MTH. See video (CNJ FAST COAL TRAIN I) on link below.
Sirt,
those look excellent. The website tremendous. It amazes and humbles me when I see the great work you all are capable of.
Though I agree with Rick. I have to ask I never seen a crossing arm go across the entire hwy 
is this new? 
The best detailed crossing signals are made by Custom Signals. Nobody else comes close. Look at the photo posted by Drew Madere. The red LED's even ramp up to full brightness and fade to off like real incandescent bulbs.
Custom Signals also sells a control relay that will start the signals in advance and then stop them as soon as the train is off the crossing in the same way real ones are actuated.
Terry Christopher, the owner of Custom Signals, is very helpful to his customers.
Method to my madness -
This is a city street, not a highway. Gates near stations were often designed to protect walkway pedestrians as well as traffic.
The gates with added extentions look great in the up wright position.
Unfortinuately no one makes a scale double combination gate to cover the street and adjacent walkway as were used in the 60’s. Gates back then were also b&w and contained hanging weights and laterns. No one makes that type of gate version in true O scale either. So I had to compromise and modify as usual.
The other crossing /street contains the short cross arms and two types of signals. I didn’t want to have both street crossings to look the same along with modeling that town.
This scene was around long before most train company decision makers were born.
They don’t posess much historical background and some are not even interested in model railroading. Thus, we have to deal with the situation the best we can.
Never seen tracks with 3 rails in my neighborhood either, but who’s counting?
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