How to a Wire K-Line Crossing Gate

February 7, 2018

Charles asks readers:

“I forgot how to wire my crossing gate. It has two bolts with nuts in front of the gate. K-line made it. Everything I try it only does two things.

1. It goes without a train going pass.
2. It doesn’t go down at all.

I even tried to insulate the track outer rail as well as the center rail. Still did the same two things. I lost the paper on them how to wire them when we moved three years ago. Please can I get some help on wiring the O gauge crossing gates – thank you.”

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2 Responses to How to a Wire K-Line Crossing Gate

Matt Jackson says:

February 7, 2018 at 10:29 pm

One lead goes to your AC accessory source (10-14VAC). The other goes to an insulated outside rail. When the three-rail equipment rolls into the insulated rail section, it completes the circuit to common and the gate comes down. If you’re using FasTrack, you can remove the cross-plates from the bottom of the track section and remove the track pins from one of the outside rails to create an insulated section. Atlas 3-rail track is already insulated; just use insulated joiners for the section. MTH ScaleTrax is also insulated so you just have to cut breaks in one of the outside rails. Lionel/K-Line tubular track just requires removal of one of the rails and wrapping the mounting area with electrical tape to keep the ties from contacting the rail, then use insulating pins.

Another way is to use an infra-red optical sensor to connect the signal to common. You’d connect the wire to the “normally open” side. When the train passes the sensor, it completes the circuit and lowers the gate.

Hope this helps.

Reply
- Charles Deye says:
  
  February 19, 2018 at 3:05 am
  
  Thank you for the help.After reading it I remember it thanks again.
  
  Reply