M.T.H. HO Crossing Gate Manual - page 3
CROSSING GATE OPERATION OVERVIEW
The MTH HO Crossing Gates will operate on AC or DC input power.
(10 – 21 VAC or 10 – 18 VDC).
The MTH HO Crossing Gates are bi-directional and can sense train movement on
1 to 4 individual tracks at a grade crossing. The moveable barricades and warning
bell are controlled by a pair of sensors placed between the rails of each track being
protected by the crossing gates. One sensor of each pair is placed on the approach
side of the grade crossing and the 2nd sensor of each pair is placed on the
departure side of the grade crossing. Since the operation is bi-directional, it does
not matter which of the sensor of each pair is placed on which side of the grade
crossing.
When a train covers the sensor on the approach side of the grade crossing, the
warning bell will begin to sound and the barricades will lower from the vertical
position to the horizontal position. The barricades are designed so that when they
are lowered to the horizontal position, they will block the automobile traffic from
crossing the track(s) until it is safe to do so.
What is important is the spacing of the sensors. The spacing is dependent on the
maximum speed of the trains passing over the grade crossing. Proper placement of
the sensors will assure that the barricades will be fully lowered when the train
arrives at the grade crossing. A chart is provided on page 13 in this manual to help
determine the correct spacing of the sensors for a given maximum speed on your
railroad.
The sensors are prewired for connection to the master motor enclosure and can be
separated by about 4 feet. That is 2 feet on either side of the grade crossing. If you
situation requires the sensors to placed farther form the grade crossing additional
wire can be spliced between the sensor and the connector of each sensor pair.
If a second, third or even a fourth train reaches the detection area for the grade
crossing while the first or any of the other trains are still in the detection area, the
barricades will remained lowered and the warning bell will continue to ring until all
trains have cleared the detection area.
M.T.H. HO Operating Crossing Gate
3