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 77 Crossing Gate was produced from 1923 to 1939.

It has an arm 11" long roadway arm making it a 1:48 scale model of a 44' long crossing arm.

The accessory is constructed of formed sheet metal. Bases can be painted black or green, mechanism box red or maroon. The mechanism box cover can be painted black or nickel plated. The crossing arm is painted black or green with stamped openings covered with white paper.

A red mini-screw bulb (432) is installed near the end of the crossing arm. (Click number for bulb specifications.)

Wire connections are made to two binding posts on the base. It could be operated from track power, 12-18 volts, AC: a little voltage adjustment is usually needed for best operation.

The Lionel 77 Crossing Gate is best operated with with Three-Rail Innovations' Two Relay Controller .

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 .