One question I have here, the swing gate looks like the gate I will need in my Man Cave for my entrance/exit door, but how do you facilitate the connection of the rails when the gate is closed?
The rails don’t actually have to connect. You run track power to the gate and to either side of the gate for it to work.
One thing you want to be sure of is that when your gate opens the power shuts off to a section of track each side of the gate making it impossible for a loco to take a dive into space.
If you go to the right side of this page, scroll down to Search This Community, search for the term “gate” you should get many, many ideas and photos.
Good luck,
Robert,
I have a wire going to the gate from the hinge side that powers the track on the gate. It flexes with the gate as it opens and closes. The rails themselves do not make electrical contact on either side. They are powered from the gate itself. (hopefully that is not confusing)
I have not put in safety sections (dead zones) that prevent trains running into the void on either side yet, but it would be a good idea.
Guy