Crossing gate

lmadsen, Select a binding post on your main transformer that could supply 10 to 12V (or it could be a variable voltage post on a small secondary transformer). Connect a wire from the transformer to the left clip on a 145C contactor and then a wire from the right clip on the contactor to the left clip on the underside of the gate. Then run a wire from the right clip on the gate to the Common terminal on the transformer. (You can use a 153C contactor, if that is what you have.) The left / right placement is not critical – just to make it understandable.) If you use one transformer to power your train, and another to power the gate through the contactor, all will be OK. None the less, it is always a good idea to phase all transformers that are in use on your layout. Leave the track sections before and after the contactor loose – the gate will go down before the train gets to the gate. You can also consider activating the gate using insulated track section. In this case (if you for example use post war tubular track), you carefully remove an outer rail from the ties on one straight track section (gently with a small screwdriver , an place an insulating fiber pin at each end of the rail , add insulation to each tie where the rail came from (this can be done by inserting cut clear plastic soda bottle squares )then replace the tie making sure that the insulation is between all metal parts, and pressing the ‘flaps down onto the ties so that it is secure. Using a voltmeter, make sure that the outer rails are not continuous.
. Then use a Lockon to connect the center rail to the insulated outer rail. Wires go from the Lockon directly to the gate. The gate will go down when the pilot wheels get to the insulated track. It will respond using the voltage that you are running the trains at. Alfred