Plug-in working crossing gate no. 1

The commercial NJI crossing arm joins a scratch-built overhead gantry on a brass block that simulates a concrete footing. A standard audio miniplug was grafted onto the underside of the footing; the plug not only provided electrical power, but secured the model to the layout. The actuating rod simply lowers onto a moving lever that pushes the rod up to raise the arm.

The view below reveals some of the details on the gantry, such as the walkway, which is a piece of Plano Model Products freight car roofwalk. The crossbuck is from NJI. The flasher targets are brass washers, and the shades are bits of coffee stirrer sticks.

Image specs: These images were captured with a Canon 20D digital SLR.

Continue to next image
Return to Clinic