Automatic Level Crossing Lights

duncan1_9_8_4

duncan1_9_8_4

Garden Railway Operator
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Evening all. This is far from my comfort zone, but something I wouldn't mind doing if at all possible later in the year.... As you may know, the railway will cross over the front garden path by way of a level crossing. On eBay I have seen a miniature red/green light board that I thought would be a good novelty. But, is there a way it could be activated by approaching trains, on a single line, IE, trains from both directions....
ebay.us

Miniature Warning light | eBay UK

A complete red and green miniature warning light crossing unit. Complete with red and green LED's. Painted, wired and ready for use. Available with or with post. Unit size 130mm x 160mm (with out post) With post and base height 76cm tall, 130mm height and 160mm wide. (Please add £10.00 extra for...
ebay.us
 
Come and see ( and hear! ) Dow Bridge JunKtion at the Stoneleigh garden railway show later this month.
Automatic level crossing flashers and sounds.
Like your railway, DBJ runs on DCC

Malcolm
 
duncan1_9_8_4 said:
But, is there a way it could be activated by approaching trains, on a single line, IE, trains from both directions....
Click to expand...

Yes there is.... level crossing protection systems have long been a feature on model railways. How easy/complicated it will be depends on how your trains are powered. If you run dead-rail, a simple track circuit will work, but if using rail power there will be some form of current sensing system will be required.
 
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I am thinking of just using magnets on loco's and reed switches under the track a distance out either side of the crossing. To power a adjustable dc flashing light controller off ebay( there are plenty to choose from be under 10 pounds for you). To control a couple of red leds powered by a small dc tx, (left over from some junked electronics.)Not a very complex system to do and good to learn on if you haven't much experience with electronics and wiring.

If you put into a decent AI, what you want to do it will give you a wiring diagram and parts list for suppliers where you are.
 
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duncan1_9_8_4 said:
Evening all. This is far from my comfort zone, but something I wouldn't mind doing if at all possible later in the year.... As you may know, the railway will cross over the front garden path by way of a level crossing. On eBay I have seen a miniature red/green light board that I thought would be a good novelty. But, is there a way it could be activated by approaching trains, on a single line, IE, trains from both directions....
ebay.us

Miniature Warning light | eBay UK

A complete red and green miniature warning light crossing unit. Complete with red and green LED's. Painted, wired and ready for use. Available with or with post. Unit size 130mm x 160mm (with out post) With post and base height 76cm tall, 130mm height and 160mm wide. (Please add £10.00 extra for...
ebay.us
Click to expand...
For a starter Latching Relays are likely to be involved, the simple part is getting it to operate with an actuator going in but reversing it when you pass the actuator going out.

We used Micro Switches for such activities in the Ruschbahn but only for Track Occupation one way, I expect if Andy was still with us he could have come up with a circuit for your needs having started his career as a Signalling Track Technician.
 
What you need is the Dcc equivalent of a treadle.

Or some sort of passing contact switch, or even a dcc block occupancy detector that detects the train and operators a circuit .

The Lgb EPL would work but would magnets on loco/rolling stock

There is a solution already out there, just to to find it and not reinvent it

Dan
 
I used a block occupancy detector, which triggers a timer that drives a flasher circuit for the red leds. Also sounds a bell. All powered from the track via a rectifier regulator combo.
All modules sourced from your favourite auction site.
See and hear it in action at the Stoneleigh show in less than 3 weeks.
Detects moving and stationary locos, and vehicles with track powered lighting.

This is on an indoor railway, leakage current on an outdoor railway may lead to false detection. Some block detectors sensitivity can be reduced, this may get around the problem.
This solution would need a really well draining trackbed.
Malcolm
 
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Was chatting to the MERG gang at York today and they have a kit for just what Mark needs, have to be a member to get it but a years membership may be a small price to pay.
 
I'm going to use RFID for my occupancy a tag on each loco and guards van and detectors under the track to get train length and direction.
A simple picaxe circuit could use that as an input for controlling flashing crossing lights .
If you are handy with a soldering iron and veroboard it is simple to build, maybe commission someone who is to build it for you.
I have the picaxe code as well

Track Layout:
RFID Reader 1 triggered, Crossing Lights on, Train crosses road/path, RFID Reader 2 triggered, Crossing Lights off

Logic:
- Train detected at Reader 1 (approaching)
→ Lights activate
- Train detected at Reader 2 (passed through)
→ Lights deactivate after short delay correspondin to length of time taken for longest train to pass.
- More accurate - lights only on while train is near crossing

An RFID on the van could be used to turn light off but that would mean more logic, I am using am ESP32 to do that, but for crossing lights that's overkill

For LED Lights:
Direct from PICAXE pins (20mA max per pin)
Use 220-470Ω resistors in series with LEDs
PICAXE can drive 2-4 LEDs directly

Its;
Weatherproof - RFID works in all conditions
Selective - Only triggers for trains (not people/animals)
Low Power - PICAXE uses minimal power
Expandable - Add more readers for longer crossings
Cost Effective - ~£15-25 AUD total
 
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GAP said:
I'm going to use RFID for my occupancy a tag on each loco and guards van and detectors under the track to get train length and direction.
A simple picaxe circuit could use that as an input for controlling flashing crossing lights .
If you are handy with a soldering iron and veroboard it is simple to build, maybe commission someone who is to build it for you.
I have the picaxe code as well

Track Layout:
RFID Reader 1 triggered, Crossing Lights on, Train crosses road/path, RFID Reader 2 triggered, Crossing Lights off

Logic:
- Train detected at Reader 1 (approaching)
→ Lights activate
- Train detected at Reader 2 (passed through)
→ Lights deactivate after short delay correspondin to length of time taken for longest train to pass.
- More accurate - lights only on while train is near crossing

An RFID on the van could be used to turn light off but that would mean more logic, I am using am ESP32 to do that, but for crossing lights that's overkill

For LED Lights:
Direct from PICAXE pins (20mA max per pin)
Use 220-470Ω resistors in series with LEDs
PICAXE can drive 2-4 LEDs directly

Its;
Weatherproof - RFID works in all conditions
Selective - Only triggers for trains (not people/animals)
Low Power - PICAXE uses minimal power
Expandable - Add more readers for longer crossings
Cost Effective - ~£15-25 AUD total
Click to expand...
I can see a lot of logic in that setup with one exception. Mark has a lot of trains thus fitting up which may or may not use the crossing could be a bit of a deal killer. Though possibly a front lamp and tail lamp with a long extension to have a magnet near to the track may or may not work.
 
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