Looks great as far as the white light on the relay box, that is to indicate that there is power going to the crossing signals. For example if there is a power outage due to weather etc, the light will be off and the signals will not be operational requiring a stop and flag order. Great job adding it in as a detail as well as applying the speaker into the relay box. Keep up the amazing work.
John, Nice to see you installed the grade crossing signals and detection system. The addition of the lights on the relay cabinet are a unique feature not modeled often. It looks fantastic and adds a realistic operation for the crew doing the switching. The grass on the rear siding is exactly what you expect to see on a slow speed siding. Your RSSX locomotive 5487 looks really nice with all the added details.-Tom
Thanks Tom! I’m really forcing myself to slow down on every project. My goal is to add 2-3 extra above and beyond features to every project I do. Big or small lol looking forward to your next visit.
Having the indicator lights and speaker with the control cabinet definately takes things up a couple of notches, John. Excellent stuff. Cheers from Wisconsin!
John, this is slick bruh. very well done. I have to check out that system, very impressive. I like how you made the instrument shed actually functional and part of the working system. Cheers Rob
This looks amazing! Really love the lighting inside of the trackside box. I have a lot of catching up to do, but I caught a glimpse of your update from a month ago and was taking screenshots of all the details. Quite inspiring. -Cam
Nothing to be afraid of! Plenty of help and support here in the community. I was intimidated at first but the system is pretty simple and works very well!
Sweet setup. I don't like optical sensors but Signalogic is the best option if you're gonna go that route for sure. Crossing bungalows typically have a light that lights up as long as the system is active, but it doesn't normally flash. The flashers I've only seen used on DTMF (radio-activated) crossings.
I'm not a fan of optical sensors either. There's nothing prototype about a giant emitter and eye between the gauge every few yards... current sensing detection would be ideal for a realistic approach and island circuit even on a convoluted crossing such as this one. As for relay box lights, they will always have the Pilot light indicating the batteries are being charged by commercial power. The only time I've ever seen a flasher on the cabinet though is when the crossing itself is obstructed from view of the railroad right of way but the cabinet can provide a viable tell-tale to train crews. But every railroad is different.
@@SD40Fan_Jason I've used a current sensing detector to activate a model crossing. The problem with current sensing is that you need to add resistors on all your freight car axles.
@lepetitnabot if you have 2 axle trucks only one needs a resistor. And in most cases that's not a problem, especially when you have many blocks to detect. It gives that realistic appearance
Kudos on the effort for detail all the way up to the sensors. I'm sorry you are stuck using visible/IR light detectors. Current sensing detection is available and is closer to prototype function. Now, the only other detail missing from your signal setup is the meter pole and utility drop, which is usually an aerial cable to another utility pole with a transformer.
Using current sensing or block detectors wasn’t an option on this crossing due to the turnout being to the left of the crossing. There needed to be 3 zones or blocks for the system to work. Unfortunately this is a sacrifice for building a model… My benchwork is very high off the ground so you can really only see them if standing on a ladder. And every box does not have a wire to a pole…. There is underground service on these all over…
@RailserveJohn it's not terribly difficult to isolate the island circuit from the turnout for a current sensing detection block. And unless you are running two independent trains, one on the furthest track and one on the nearest track, you could power all three island tracks off the same source, with the same detection. Anyway, I'm just saying it could be done, but what you have works best for you, no need to change it now. While practically every crossing relay bungalow gets it's power from the meter by an underground feeder, there's still a meter pole with a main disconnect and usually a weatherhead with a utility drop going to another pole with a transformer. In rare cases, I've seen the meter and weatherhead fastened directly to the side of a bungalow, but that's only ever been in the case where underground and aerial utility space was terribly cramped already. The relay and hidden speaker are already details most modelers forget to include. I am quite impressed with the way you not only included one in yours but also the way you incorporated the pilot lamp and a tell-tale flasher. As a train crewman, those were nice at a signal where switching was done, and you have to creep up on the crossing to activate it, but you may not necessarily see the flashers themselves. I had a similar experience with a crossing at Anheuser-busch on the loading docks. The flashers only faced outward, 4 tracks and the beer trucks barreled across the crossing at Mach 9. (Faster if the lights were flashing) we were supposed to stop and wait for the flashers to activate before blocking the crossing. But the only way we knew it was working was the flasher on the top of the box.
@@SD40Fan_Jason yeah the scene is far from finished. I will add power lines coming from the backdrop. My electrician friend recommended modeling power coming from the pole - underground - to the box so I will try to incorporate that. I’ll be using block detection and signals on the other side of the layout protecting the single track through closets and into the double track yard lead. Maybe not 100% prototypical but kind of a must for when we have 3 crews running at the same time. More to come on that in the future.
@@RailserveJohn It's a great set of additions to the scene and with the high bench work perspective and the ballast color, those sensors aren't noticeable in the least (far better than what we had to work with decades ago!). Always a pleasure to stop by and see the progress from time to time, including the switcher build that is nearly ready for paint. Keep up the great work!
Looks great! You sure crammed a lot into that electrical box. On a scale from 1 to 10, how difficult are these products to learn how to utilize for a newbie like myself? (10 being impossible)
Thanks Joey! This system was recommended to me and I'm very happy it was. With there being an actual screen on the board to see what you are doing made it super simple. Now I only had to program the sensitivity for each zone and not gates, I would say 2-3 on the difficulty meter. I hear the gates are a little more tricky but only because of the many features and settings to choose from. If you get it a kit and have questions let me know! -John
When picking the signal crossing system, did you consider one that used the rails for detection? Just curious as to why you went with this system vs. another?
I was recommended this system by a few others and it shows why. Very easy to install and it just works flawlessly. I originally wanted to use block or current detection but with the turnouts being so close to the crossing, i didn’t want to be cutting rail inside of the turnout. You are able to use current sensing as an option with this kit. I could always re visit that option later on if I want as these sensors don’t require and modifications to the ties. It would just be pulling them out and adding a pinch of ballast.
Totally awesome! Love the yellow signal light on the electrical box. So much work but so worth it.
Thanks Mark ;)
Looks great as far as the white light on the relay box, that is to indicate that there is power going to the crossing signals. For example if there is a power outage due to weather etc, the light will be off and the signals will not be operational requiring a stop and flag order. Great job adding it in as a detail as well as applying the speaker into the relay box. Keep up the amazing work.
Thanks Ryan. Appreciate the info
Phenomenal prototypical work! Realism is off the charts. The gondola is exceptional. The back drop is amazing. Thanks for posting.
Thank you very much for the comment and watching! -John
Love the lighting details you added to the signal box John - very cool! Great looking scene.
Thanks John!
John, Nice to see you installed the grade crossing signals and detection system. The addition of the lights on the relay cabinet are a unique feature not modeled often. It looks fantastic and adds a realistic operation for the crew doing the switching. The grass on the rear siding is exactly what you expect to see on a slow speed siding. Your RSSX locomotive 5487 looks really nice with all the added details.-Tom
Thanks Tom! I’m really forcing myself to slow down on every project. My goal is to add 2-3 extra above and beyond features to every project I do. Big or small lol looking forward to your next visit.
Your scenery is incredible. Beautiful modeling! I just subscribed and I can't wait to see more!😊
Thanks for following along! Appreciate the comment! -John
Having the indicator lights and speaker with the control cabinet definately takes things up a couple of notches, John. Excellent stuff. Cheers from Wisconsin!
Thank you Andrew!
Looks really good John. Very impressed with the added features you achieved with the electrical box.
Thanks Art!
Wow
Thank you very much! I don’t use any fancy equipment although I try to make sure things are stabile and clear. Thanks for watching! -John
Great looking scene John , the lights are awesome.
Thanks Bud!
Looking great. Thanks for sharing. Dave
Thanks Dave
John, this is slick bruh. very well done. I have to check out that system, very impressive. I like how you made the instrument shed actually functional and part of the working system. Cheers Rob
Thanks Rob! I got pretty lucky with the size of the speaker and all. It’s a neat feature to add to a great system.
That "Extra Time" sure was well spent John looks fabulously delicious 😂 Seriously well done Man!
Lol thanks Bernard!
That's cool...also loving the progression of the back scene into the layout. One of my favourite scenes so far Take care.
Thanks! Hopefully have more to share soon. -John
The crossing as a whole looks great. Nicely done.
Thanks Peter!
That electrical box is slick. So cool!
Thanks!
Wow that looks great john! And the layout looks great! Take care!
Thank you! And thanks for watching
Nice job John
This looks amazing! Really love the lighting inside of the trackside box. I have a lot of catching up to do, but I caught a glimpse of your update from a month ago and was taking screenshots of all the details. Quite inspiring.
-Cam
Thanks Cam, was blown away with your recent update. Amazing work!
Thats some great looking work youve done!
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your set up.
Thanks for watching Arty!
Awesome I so need to learn how to not be afraid to do circuitry like this seriously this is awesome sir
Nothing to be afraid of! Plenty of help and support here in the community. I was intimidated at first but the system is pretty simple and works very well!
Omg. I didn’t realize it was you that commented! What an honour!
Lol I enjoy your videos
Nice crossing! It's cool you are using the fiber for lights on the box! 💯🫵✌️
Thanks Bud!
YEAAAA NEW VIDEO GOOD BLESS FROM MÉXICO JHON
Thanks Buddy!
@@RailserveJohn Very interesting that light system friend Jhon I will look for one for my layout
The sounds at the beginning are great.
Thanks Heath. All the bells and whistles lol
Awesome John
Thanks Dave
Awesome layout and nice to meet you yesterday on Jerry’s stream! Just subscribed to the channel
Thanks bud!
@@RailserveJohn No problem down to do the same?
@@csx8851 yes sir!
@@RailserveJohn Thanks dude you rock! 👊🏼😎
Layouts lookin awesome so far
Thanks Bud
Looks great . I see you’ve added a few more details to the scene.
A few Easter eggs lol
Really nice on the Box mods. Plus love the weathered and staggered asphalt crossing
Thank you! I wasn't sure how it would look but I'm glad I did it.
Cool. I love the details on that locomotive
It’s my favorite loco. Was worth all the work. Thanks for watching!
Sweet setup. I don't like optical sensors but Signalogic is the best option if you're gonna go that route for sure. Crossing bungalows typically have a light that lights up as long as the system is active, but it doesn't normally flash. The flashers I've only seen used on DTMF (radio-activated) crossings.
Cool! Thanks for the info
I'm not a fan of optical sensors either. There's nothing prototype about a giant emitter and eye between the gauge every few yards... current sensing detection would be ideal for a realistic approach and island circuit even on a convoluted crossing such as this one.
As for relay box lights, they will always have the Pilot light indicating the batteries are being charged by commercial power. The only time I've ever seen a flasher on the cabinet though is when the crossing itself is obstructed from view of the railroad right of way but the cabinet can provide a viable tell-tale to train crews. But every railroad is different.
@@SD40Fan_Jason I've used a current sensing detector to activate a model crossing. The problem with current sensing is that you need to add resistors on all your freight car axles.
@lepetitnabot if you have 2 axle trucks only one needs a resistor. And in most cases that's not a problem, especially when you have many blocks to detect. It gives that realistic appearance
Love it.
Thank you!
you do a great job with your scenery, looks very realistic and that backdrop is the icing on the cake! where did you get that from bro?
Thanks Bud! The backdrops are from Larc Products
@@RailserveJohn awesome cheers John bro 😎
Wow that's Nice
Thank you!
Kudos on the effort for detail all the way up to the sensors. I'm sorry you are stuck using visible/IR light detectors. Current sensing detection is available and is closer to prototype function.
Now, the only other detail missing from your signal setup is the meter pole and utility drop, which is usually an aerial cable to another utility pole with a transformer.
Using current sensing or block detectors wasn’t an option on this crossing due to the turnout being to the left of the crossing. There needed to be 3 zones or blocks for the system to work. Unfortunately this is a sacrifice for building a model… My benchwork is very high off the ground so you can really only see them if standing on a ladder.
And every box does not have a wire to a pole…. There is underground service on these all over…
@RailserveJohn it's not terribly difficult to isolate the island circuit from the turnout for a current sensing detection block. And unless you are running two independent trains, one on the furthest track and one on the nearest track, you could power all three island tracks off the same source, with the same detection. Anyway, I'm just saying it could be done, but what you have works best for you, no need to change it now.
While practically every crossing relay bungalow gets it's power from the meter by an underground feeder, there's still a meter pole with a main disconnect and usually a weatherhead with a utility drop going to another pole with a transformer. In rare cases, I've seen the meter and weatherhead fastened directly to the side of a bungalow, but that's only ever been in the case where underground and aerial utility space was terribly cramped already.
The relay and hidden speaker are already details most modelers forget to include. I am quite impressed with the way you not only included one in yours but also the way you incorporated the pilot lamp and a tell-tale flasher. As a train crewman, those were nice at a signal where switching was done, and you have to creep up on the crossing to activate it, but you may not necessarily see the flashers themselves. I had a similar experience with a crossing at Anheuser-busch on the loading docks. The flashers only faced outward, 4 tracks and the beer trucks barreled across the crossing at Mach 9. (Faster if the lights were flashing) we were supposed to stop and wait for the flashers to activate before blocking the crossing. But the only way we knew it was working was the flasher on the top of the box.
@@SD40Fan_Jason yeah the scene is far from finished. I will add power lines coming from the backdrop. My electrician friend recommended modeling power coming from the pole - underground - to the box so I will try to incorporate that. I’ll be using block detection and signals on the other side of the layout protecting the single track through closets and into the double track yard lead. Maybe not 100% prototypical but kind of a must for when we have 3 crews running at the same time. More to come on that in the future.
@@RailserveJohn It's a great set of additions to the scene and with the high bench work perspective and the ballast color, those sensors aren't noticeable in the least (far better than what we had to work with decades ago!).
Always a pleasure to stop by and see the progress from time to time, including the switcher build that is nearly ready for paint. Keep up the great work!
hey john, at 1:30 in the video, where did you buy that MoW truck on the screen, good video as always.
It’s a Shapeways GMC Conrail print I’ve been working on. I’m still in the process of painting it.
John very interesting system, need to look into this for the new layout, great video , CMQ
Thanks James. They Signal Logic Systems is from Canada!
John I found it , might use on my lift gate , thanks John great video
Looks great! You sure crammed a lot into that electrical box. On a scale from 1 to 10, how difficult are these products to learn how to utilize for a newbie like myself? (10 being impossible)
Thanks Joey! This system was recommended to me and I'm very happy it was. With there being an actual screen on the board to see what you are doing made it super simple. Now I only had to program the sensitivity for each zone and not gates, I would say 2-3 on the difficulty meter. I hear the gates are a little more tricky but only because of the many features and settings to choose from. If you get it a kit and have questions let me know! -John
@@RailserveJohn awesome, thanks for the reply. I do think I want to add at least one crossing to the next layout for interest and added appeal
I love the crossing bell sound. What sound system did you use again?
Thanks! It’s the Signal Logic system with their bell module.
When picking the signal crossing system, did you consider one that used the rails for detection? Just curious as to why you went with this system vs. another?
I was recommended this system by a few others and it shows why. Very easy to install and it just works flawlessly. I originally wanted to use block or current detection but with the turnouts being so close to the crossing, i didn’t want to be cutting rail inside of the turnout. You are able to use current sensing as an option with this kit. I could always re visit that option later on if I want as these sensors don’t require and modifications to the ties. It would just be pulling them out and adding a pinch of ballast.
Great looking crossing scene. Where did you get the Signalogic system from? Went on their web site and found it for a $109.99 is this correct?
Sounds about right. I have the kit without gates but with bell module.
Hi John
Yes I was just checking them out , what model did you get
I got the one with sound and without gate control. It came with everything except the speaker and 12v power source.
I emailed them , added to my list
Hey John, where did you the signal stand crossbucks and lights is that included
Hi
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