Railroad Crossing??

[wallster]

I don't know why or how these whacky ideas pop up in my coconut but about three months ago I had the idea to build a railroad crossing signal in my yard next to the garage approach. I found a set of RR lights locally and converted them from DC to AC. I wired in a solid state sequencer so they would flash back and forth. Next, I bought a Western Cullen Hayes DC bell and wired an LED power supply to it. We made all the brackets, signs, and fabricated a schedule 40 pipe with a base plate. I dug out a foundation hole, stubbed in conduit, and poured concrete with a mounting cage. The crossing is all installed, wired and works great. I have a remote switch in the garage that turns the lights on and off (as well as a toggle switch on the light bar). I also wired a momentary switch to the bell (so nobody flicks it on all day). As a reference for scale, my daughter is 5'-3" tall, the RR sign post is 7' tall, and the crossing is just shy of 12' tall.

Here are some pics.

Wally

 

[Ilikeike]

That's pretty cool.

 

[930dreamer]

Very nice, I found two 8-3/8" clear signal lens at a flea market.

 

[Thumper68]

There is a guy near here who has a RR signal connected to a motion sensor at the end of his drive, every time a car comes in it goes off for about 10 seconds.

Very cool build.

 

[vekster]

that's awesome

 

[FJ 432]

Damn what a great professional install. Don't forget to turn them off. You may have a drunk parked in your driveway waiting on the lights to go off.

 

[bczygan]

Why? Cause you're nuts!

But it's a good kind of nuts!

If you ever want to go whole hog, relocate it near the start of your driveway. Include a gate that comes down and install 2 rails and a rail bed with cross ties across the driveway.

 

[Firebird 1]

I hope they don't miss that thing down at the crossing!!

 

[KRB52]

I hope they don't miss that thing down at the crossing!!

Yeah, I was thinking that, too, especially after the "found it locally" part.

 

[colt zantop]

That's awesome! Nice job!

 

[Ben Buck]

Very, very nice!!!

 

[southalabama]

Well most of the adjectives already used but

That is super cool

 

[Grizzly Guy]

Great job.Thats pretty cool for sure.