Which Crossing Arms to use for my layout?

The great part about Z-Stuff crossing gates is that they use optical train detection so you don't have to use an insulated rail or pressure sensor.  They also close realistically slow and are a nice size for the hi-rail look. Historically those crossing gates are hard to find, and may only appear in-stock once every few years. Yes, they may be pricey but it will last the life of your layout.

@Bruce Brown posted:

The great part about Z-Stuff crossing gates is that they use optical train detection so you don't have to use an insulated rail or pressure sensor.  They also close realistically slow and are a nice size for the hi-rail look. Historically those crossing gates aregsihjn hard to find, and may only appear in-stock once every few years. Yes, they may be pricey but it will last the life of your layout.

Thanks for the info. It is good to know that the Z Stuff version is so durable. I really don't want to use track power, with insulated outer rails, but would much rather use one of the secondary throttles on my ZW-C as a separate, dedicated power source for my track accessories, so that I can set it to a designated voltage and lesve it. I also like the dwarf signals as train detection. I have found these in stock at Ross Custom Switches and will get one on order tomorrow.

Thanks again

The Z-Stuff gates are very good and reliable.  Keep in mind that they are scale so they are somewhat fragile unlike the giant oversized O gauge crossing gates.  I power mine from the 10v terminals of a Z4000.  The DZ-1010 set includes 2 gates and 2 dwarf signals.  As Bruce said, they are IR so you don’t have to tear up track an isolate rails.  One thing to keep in mind is, if you elevate your track on roadbed or use Fastrack, you must elevate the gates and signals to the same height as the roadbed.  If you do not the IR sensor will see under your cars and the gates will go up and down each time a wheel or low hanging part goes by.

@Danr posted:

The Z-Stuff gates are very good and reliable.  Keep in mind that they are scale so they are somewhat fragile unlike the giant oversized O gauge crossing gates.  I power mine from the 10v terminals of a Z4000.  The DZ-1010 set includes 2 gates and 2 dwarf signals.  As Bruce said, they are IR so you don’t have to tear up track an isolate rails.  One thing to keep in mind is, if you elevate your track on roadbed or use Fastrack, you must elevate the gates and signals to the same height as the roadbed.  If you do not the IR sensor will see under your cars and the gates will go up and down each time a wheel or low hanging part goes by.

Thanks for all that information Dan. Still pretty certain to go with theZ-Stuff, but just for grins, of all the other o gauge Crossing arms, which one would be the best?

There really isn’t a great assortment available.  It appears that neither Lionel or MTH are currently making a crossing similar to Z-Stuff, although they did.  In both cases the the gates were activated by a pressure switch, isolated rail or IR (sold separately).  Lionel does make a crossing gate in Fastrack, but it is a single track crossing.  Other manufacturers did make gates at one time or another but many, sadly, are no longer in business.  You may find some of their products on eBay.

I don’t know how much that helps.  Maybe someone else has a suggestion.

I would use the suggestions of those above. I have only had Lionel  and MTH gates and both are a disappointment. They get too hot and the activation rods melt to the electrical coils. Mine are glued down with only the lights activating. I hope to upgrade to Zstuff as well. Good luck

I'm with Dan on the Z-Stuff gates. You get two in the set, but my recollection is that only one gate has the electrical boxes with it. They look good, relatively easy to set up and the timing is adjustable.

I sunk mine into the layout for a "cleaner"  look.

@LT1Poncho posted:

I would use the suggestions of those above. I have only had Lionel  and MTH gates and both are a disappointment. They get too hot and the activation rods melt to the electrical coils. Mine are glued down with only the lights activating. I hope to upgrade to Zstuff as well. Good luck

So then Z stuff it is. Thanks for all the comments and advice. I will get them on order today

Roger

@Richie C. posted:

I'm with Dan on the Z-Stuff gates. You get two in the set, but my recollection is that only one gate has the electrical boxes with it. They look good, relatively easy to set up and the timing is adjustable.

I sunk mine into the layout for a "cleaner"  look.

Yes, only one has the electrical cabinet.  It contains the IR lamp and the speaker.  The other gate has the IR receiveron one corner.

On my layout I use two azatrax gates (actually NJ Internationals) operated by a tortoise motor through linkages.  Action is triggered by an azatrax MRX3 board using all six sensors.  Honestly, a pain to install and get adjusted, but once it set, it has been going flawlessly for years.

http://www.azatrax.com/o-scale-crossing-gates.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO83LoCTxw0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwru2Mz3WIU

DZ-1010 Set

@rrman posted:

On my layout I use two azatrax gates (actually NJ Internationals) operated by a tortoise motor through linkages.  Action is triggered by an azatrax MRX3 board using all six sensors.  Honestly, a pain to install and get adjusted, but once it set, it has been going flawlessly for years.

http://www.azatrax.com/o-scale-crossing-gates.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO83LoCTxw0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwru2Mz3WIU

Very nice.  They do have very nice stuff, the only problem is that virtually everything is sold out.  I really like NJI gates and signals for their detail.

@Danr posted:

There really isn’t a great assortment available.  It appears that neither Lionel or MTH are currently making a crossing similar to Z-Stuff, although they did.  In both cases the the gates were activated by a pressure switch, isolated rail or IR (sold separately).  Lionel does make a crossing gate in Fastrack, but it is a single track crossing.  Other manufacturers did make gates at one time or another but many, sadly, are no longer in business.  You may find some of their products on eBay.

I don’t know how much that helps.  Maybe someone else has a suggestion.

So, I ordered from Ross Custom Switches:
One of these for a main road into my viliage:

And one of these for a side road into a rural factory: