On the Layout: Port of Montreal Grade Crossing

     One of the things I wanted to accomplish as part of finishing the Port of Montreal was to install crossing signals for the grade crossing.  I went with NJ International's Griswold Crossings.  I went with these signals because they are not the norm, also because they just look really cool.  Although the Port of Montreal doesn't use Griswold crossings, their crossing signals are not the typical looking signals either.  Griswold signals have a rotating stop sign that face traffic when the crossing activates. I'm going to keep these stationary, much like the stop sign on the bottom of the post in this picture.  

A screenshot of a Port of Montreal crossing signal from a Port of Montreal Youtube Video.  Notice the lights appear to be horizontally mounted red traffic lights (it's not your vision; the image is blurry).  

    The control system is from Logic Rail Technologies, just like all the other crossings on the layout.  It is an easy system to understand and install.  Most of installation work was done on my workbench.  I then moved to under the layout to solder wire from the crossing signals to the board.  

I wired everything I could on the workbench before heading under the layout.  I installed the speaker, but that was a just in case thought.  I'm glad I did it, because I ended up installing a bell module.

    This crossing is activated using a switch on the fascia instead of automatic sensors.  There were a number of reasons why I decided to do this.  My primary one was that the track work in this area is pretty complicated.  I wanted to keep it simple since there is another crossing just about a foot away.  I had debated just extending the sensors on the Rue Courcelle crossing to the far side of the Port crossing, but in the end, I decided that the switch was the easiest way to go. 

Everything is mounted under the layout.  I color coded all of the wires, so I knew what went where.  I saved a lot of time when I needed to connect everything.

    Everything is up and running.  It works really well.  I need to order a new bell module for this crossing.  I installed a speaker but wasn't sure if I wanted sound since the Rue Courcelle crossing already has a bell.  I learned quickly though that if I don't have a bell on the Port crossing, I forget that it is on.  I had bell module for another crossing that hasn't been installed.  I "borrowed" it so I have something for the time being.  It is the same bell sound as the Rue Courcelle crossing, so there's a lot of mechanical bell sounds in this part of the layout right now.  I'll order a fast bell sound module for the Rue Courcelle crossing since that is more prototypical for that crossing.  I also need to print some Canadian crossbucks to replace the American crossbucks.  

Working crossing signals to protect the 4 tracks crossing the Rue Vieu entrance at the Port of Montreal.