I have a set of Busch’s Operting Crossing gates but they arent automatic. I was wondering if there is a way to make these work with a photo cell . If so can someone let me know thank you.
Copied from the Net:
To automating this crossing on my model railroad, I used the following components- 14VDC power supply. I used Radio Shack 12VDC- 500ma 273-1773. This is really around 14 volts - about $10. I don’t know the actual amount of power used, but I would expect it is less than 100ma for the Block Detector and the signals themselves.
- Circuitron Current Sense Track Detector BD-02 . You could build your own current sensing block detector from instructions available on the internet, but I purchased a BD-02 on sale for about $17. Since I only needed one I decided not to build my own. Circuitron makes a heavy duty version, but the standard version has plenty of power to run the Busch crossing signal set.
- Busch Crossing Signal Set - less than $30 Walthers part number 189-5934.
- Some 2 Conductor Wire - gauge not critical - connects DB-02 to signal.
- 2 - 5 amp rectifier diodes - Radio Shack part number 276-1661.
Layout WiringMy layout was wired originally for DC, not DCC, so it has been previously broken into blocks. One of the blocks already contained all of the track on either side of the crossing to which I was adding the crossing signals.#### 
Installing rectifier diodesThe Circuitron block detector BD-02 uses diode dropping type current sensing. This reduces voltage to the track by .6 volts. This will result in engines slowing down when entering this block and speeding up when leaving it, unless the voltage to the rest of track is adjusted. I added a pair of 5 amp rectifier diodes into the circuit supplying all blocks, except the block connected to the Block Detector. This will adjust the track voltage to an equal value for all blocks once the block detector is installed.#### Adjusting track voltage of your DCC systemMy locom
SqueakyWheels,
thanks for finding this I looked for something like this on google guess I didnt ask the right questions. Block detection is a great method but I wos going to go infered maybe use circuitrons Optical sensor set up instead. Will keep ya posted.
Before my last computer catastrophe- had to redo everything- I had a company listed that makes the controller that uses four photo diodes in order to control the gates- but it work with single set of tracks only.
If you search Google long enough, I am sure you will come up with it.
You might want to check MRR advertisements as well. It could be in there.