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OK so I am a bit crazy.
I am planning to put a railroad crossing signal pole (full size) complete with flashing lights and bell on my driveway. My thought is to possibly rig it to start flashing the lights when someone drives toward the layout. The bell and lights would have switches so that I could turn them individually on or off according to my plans for the day. One benefit is that the bell could be used to alert me when the UPS or FedEx guys drive up and I do not hear them.
I don't know what power (AC or DC volts and amps) I would need to operate the lights and bell and how to make the lights flash alternately. I would also need to come up with a way for a vehicle to activate the lights and bell and perhaps a remote (wireless) means to turn everything on or off.
This could also serve as sort of a burglar alarm - how many burglars would hang around after activating a railroad crossing bell and flashing lights?
The trigger for the lights and bell should probably be about 100 feet from the pole and there would need to be some sort of timer or deactivation switch to keep power on and then turn power off after the vehicle has passed. In effect the vehicle would replace a train for activating the signal.
I have no idea how the railroads activate and power their signals but that essentially is what I need to learn.
Thanks,
Jerry
PS for those who may be wondering - my wife wants the signals as much as I do. We are still trying to buy a caboose but our latest offer was turned down so the crossing signal is sort of a consolation prize.
I am planning to put a railroad crossing signal pole (full size) complete with flashing lights and bell on my driveway. My thought is to possibly rig it to start flashing the lights when someone drives toward the layout. The bell and lights would have switches so that I could turn them individually on or off according to my plans for the day. One benefit is that the bell could be used to alert me when the UPS or FedEx guys drive up and I do not hear them.
I don't know what power (AC or DC volts and amps) I would need to operate the lights and bell and how to make the lights flash alternately. I would also need to come up with a way for a vehicle to activate the lights and bell and perhaps a remote (wireless) means to turn everything on or off.
This could also serve as sort of a burglar alarm - how many burglars would hang around after activating a railroad crossing bell and flashing lights?
The trigger for the lights and bell should probably be about 100 feet from the pole and there would need to be some sort of timer or deactivation switch to keep power on and then turn power off after the vehicle has passed. In effect the vehicle would replace a train for activating the signal.
I have no idea how the railroads activate and power their signals but that essentially is what I need to learn.
Thanks,
Jerry
PS for those who may be wondering - my wife wants the signals as much as I do. We are still trying to buy a caboose but our latest offer was turned down so the crossing signal is sort of a consolation prize.