I am planning to make and install a couple sets of grade crossing flashers on my DCC N Scale layout. I’d like for them to be triggered by the locomotive passing over or by location and not stop flashing until the end car passes a location beyond the crossing.
I welcome any and all thoughts on this subject as I am not well read into this subject. Sources of supply are also welcomed on any recommended items I may need to purchase for the project.
Since starting my first layout less than 8 months ago I have very quickly learned I don’t know what I don’t know so if I’ve left out any pertinent information or details please shoot me a question and I’ll answer to the best of my ability.
I also have N scale. I made my own crossing lights. I took online time to learn how to make simple Arduino circuits. At my age it was a learning curve.
Thankfully there are lots of free online codes for this you can download. When the train approaches it crosses a photocell to turn on the flashing lights, and after the last car crosses another photocell it turns off.
It was a big project but I’m glad I learned how. With whatever you do, have fun!
A box from Logic Rail Technologies was just delivered to me this morning. It contains the electronics to automate a set of crossing flashers and crossing gates for a double track line that I am building on my layout.
John offers a very practical solution. I am technologically impaired and I would rather buy the electronics than figure out how to build and program an Arduino circuit. That would not be fun for me.
the club has crossing lights that use 4 sensors: 2 are close to the crossing and 2 further (~2ft) away.
A train approaching the crossing triggers it when it reaches the further sensors and stops it after the last car crosses the closer sensor on the opposite side of the crossing.
There are several companies that make the electronics to automate crossings. I bought two (two different crossings) from Azatrax and am very satisfied with them. Not cheap, but the logic is well thought out and it’s very realistic in action. I also had a complex configuration that included a turnout in the detection area and double track and Azatrax was very helpful with a design that works very well.
Light-sensors work well for daytime layouts, if you’re going to run trains at night (just using layout lights and perhaps some dull blue-white lights from above), you may find infrared detectors will work better. Both types are available from several sources, and are not complicated to install.
In addition to the vendors previously mention, take a look at DCC Specialties Hare Crossing Board. I purchased one with 2 cross buck flashers as a package 13 years ago (from Tony’s Trains at the West Springfield show) and they were easy to install and have been bulletproof ever since.
I’ve used their HO signals - single head, dual head, and dwarfs - on my layout and found them to be quite reliable and realistic without breaking the bank. I haven’t tried their crossings / detectors yet, but intend to check them out in the near future.
Here’s a YouTuber’s video reviewing the N-scale crossing signals:
