ATSF Howard Branch

Crossing Gate (Smash Board) in Emporia

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Updated 1-19-10

 

The diamond of the ATSF in Eureka, KS, was controlled by the Missouri Pacific. Therefore it was a MP prototype. I modeled the gate using photos of the actual gate and a MP drawing.

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The gate is brass rod. The ladder is N scale ladder stock. The primary support is a brass rod. The balance is brass bar stock. All was soldered together.

The two lights are Precision Scale HO brass castings of switch stand lights. They were drilled out with a #56 drill from the bottom and #70 through the lens areas. 603 LEDs were inserted inside of the castings and canopy cement used to both hold the LEDs and to form the lenses. Lenses were colored with permanent ink markers.

The #38 wires used to power the LEDs were glued with ACC to the back side of the gate and then run down under the layout. They need 6V to operate.
A Tortoise switch machine moves the gate when a switch on the facia is thrown. The Tortoise contacts turn on and off power to a block near the diamond to prevent trains from running into the gate.


 

Steve Sandifer