A Highway Crossing Gate lowers over a highway to block cars from the train tracks when a train is approaching and present. It raises when the train has passed.

The Lionel 152 Crossing Gate was produced from 1940 to 1942, then continued into the postwar era.

It has an arm for the roadway and a pedestrian arm. The roadway arm is 9" long, making it a 1:48 scale model of a 36' long crossing arm.

The base is diecast metal painted red. The arms are formed sheet metal.

A red bayonet bulb (L53R) is used. (Click number for bulb specifications.)

Wire connections are made to two binding posts on the base. Recommended operating power is 10-12 volts, AC: a little voltage adjustment is usually needed for best operation.

A screw under the base can be used to adjust spring tension. Be careful, turning too far will release the spring; restoring it is tricky.

The Lionel 152 Crossing Gate is best operated with with Three-Rail Innovations' Universal Trackside Accessory Controller or Two Relay Controller .

The Universal Trackside Accessory Controller features of ON/OFF and Limited can provide simple operation of a crossing gate. The UTAC Cross Gate features are specific for operating a crossing gate. Accessory power is controlled so a crossing gate slowly lowers when a train enters a track block, the gate is held down at reduced power as the train proceeds, then slowly raises when the train passes.

The Two Relay Controller features of Off/On and Limited can be used to operate a crossing gate. The electrical coil can overheat, so some operating time or power limitation, as provided by the Limited feature, is prudent.

Additional features that allow activation with two short isolated outside-rail track blocks can reduce the need for constructing a long isolated outside-rail track block. Useful for some track systems.

Click to see one example for operating crossing gates as part of a One 2RC Highway Crossing .