I have just finished wiring up all my animations (Lionel loading station, Diesel fuel house, two gatemen, Ice-loader, and K-line saw mill w/ smoke. I would like to add some more affordable animations. What would you suggest?
Also, I would like to add some affordable crossing gates. Any suggestions?
Jim H
I really like the new lionel fastrack crossings but you may not have fastrak, also the mth ones are quite nice with the sound.
This is my favorite crossing gate.
I activate mine with an insulated track. Of course this is more toylike and not scale. Put one at every crossing and you have alot of animation. You can usually find them on e-bay and at train shows at a reasonable price.
I still like the kind that Paul has there, but I must say, I’ve been going to try the ones Z-Products have !! They are, I believe, the most realistic of all of them !! I…think !! [:D] They are all fun to watch, though !!
Thanks, John
I have 2 sets of the Z-Stuff crossing gates. They are nice and the infared advance dwarfs make it nice also. However, they are extremely fragile and I don’t care for the fishline operation. They would be perfect if their operation was driven by a worm screw like Lionel’s.
Does it look like the line in those can be replaced very easy & do they work properly ? Sounds like you wouldn’t want to use them too much then.
I’m just north of you here in Ohio. Are you familiar with the large layout being built at the museum in Mentor ?
Thanks, John
They are a bear to fix. I accidentially pulled the line out of the holding screw and after many bad words got it hooked up again but the gate never worked properly. It either did not go down far enough or up far enough. Eventually I returned it to Z-Stuff and they fixed it. Dennis at Z-Stuff gives excellant service but I think the gates are just to fragile.
Yes I am aware of the layout being built but I have not visited it.
John
Another classic animated accessory is the Newsstand. Also with the same base and movement are the animated freight station and the Refreshment stand. They dont take alot of space and are fun to watch.
I’m a big fan of the rotating Beacon Light !! That’s my all time favorite accessory !! I used to watch my Marx one when I was a kid for hours & of course with those, they need a little air or vibration !! I have the Lionel one now with the vibrotor motor in it !!
Thanks, John
I knew there was an explanation for the way you turned out John.[(-D]
Plus go around in circles sometimes !! [(-D]
Thanks, John
How about the rotating beacon light on the flat car, lites up whole layout.
laz57
I have a 1957 Beacon light but have not got it working yet. It has a short somewhere!
Paul … what is the part number on that crossing gate you like?
Jim H
Hi Jim,
The one in the picture is a 6-12714. Its based on the postwar #252. They are kinda cool when operating. They have a light in the base that shines down a clear plastic tube on the arm to illuminate the red lights on the arm.
There is also a #152 that has the crossing gate arm and an arm for a sidewalk crossing.
Best thing to do is go on e-bay and search on “gate”. You will get a whole range from prewar to the present.
Good luck.
I love Lionel’s newer scale Wig Wag signals.
Z-stuf crossing gates are the best. Slow motion, sounds, & infared control.
As for animations, you have to get a Lionels lumber/saw mill, the draw bridge and a diesel/steam horn/whistel shack.
The kids love these!
Paul…thanks for the search tip and part number.
Ezak, RR, and others…thanks for the good tips. I am making my list and checking it twice for one of the few train shows in Houston area Saturday.
Jim H
jimhaleyscomet You might be thinking more of physically animated things but these signs are super cool!!!
Try Miller Engineering http://www.microstru.com/
They have some really interesting signs. Some are just illuminated, and some are illuminated and animated.
Check out the “new releases” “animated signs” and “billboards” a lot of really neat signs. Also check out the “experimenters kit” EL panels and EL wire. I think you might be able to use these for the sign that you are making.
http://www.microstru.com/Experimenter-Kits.html
underworld[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]