DCC Working level crossing using Train Tech lights & Sound, Viessmann Barriers, and Wills Kit

This is a ‘work in progress’ project it’s which is NOT FINISHED, so please note it’s not fully completed and more detail and infrastructure is needed, and NO, you cannot make the barriers ‘bounce’, nor can I add a real driver ‘waving’ out of the cab window! Modelling in 1/76 scale can never be 100% realistic or life like!

DCC Working level crossing using the Train Tech level crossing lights & Sound, also using the Viessmann lifting Barriers 5104 & 5107, with the road base made from Wills Kit Modern level crossing SSM318 & SSM319.

Several components were required for this project;
Train Tech wig-wag lights & Sound
Viessmann barriers (2 versions)
Wills modern level crossing kit
Wills additional level crossing road bed kit
DCC concepts Cobalt-s levers
Train Tech mimic switch
Expo on/off switch
ESU Ecos DCC controller with standard detector
Plasticard used for road surface approaches

This project has been built alongside the signal box control panel at Wickfield Lane which controls the level crossing MCB (manual control barrier) to represent a basic lever framed signal box.

The sequence is not fully automated, however the idea was to recreate a signal box control panel where I could manually control the crossing as you would normally find on a typical MCB signal box.

Because the layout is a chasing tale layout there is no point having the level crossing automated and constantly going up and down. However the idea was that when trains are running constantly the barriers would be down permanently with the wig-wag lights flashing but with no sound.

On occasions there will be times I’d like to take control of the level crossing and to operate from the signal box control panel for slower train movements and general videoing.

There are three ways to operate the level crossing which are all programmed via DCC with separate command addresses.

1, Operate fully from using the DCC concepts Cobalt-s levers, three levers in total, one lever for the wig-wag lights and sound, a second lever for the left hand barriers, and a third lever for the right hand barriers.
Then there is an option for the siren sound to be turned off once the crossing is fully closed and clear, this feature was added because the Train Tech siren can only be set to constant or 7 seconds, the constant sound would be annoying for general train running, however I found the 7 seconds option wasn’t long enough to get both sets of barriers down and clear the crossing in time. The Train Tech siren was programmed and set to constant and an additional ‘on/off’ switch was added.

2, Operate partly using a Train Tech mimic switch to activate the wig-wag lights and siren from a flick of the switch, however the barriers would be operated via option 1 or 3, again the sound can be turned off once the crossing is clear via a ‘on/off’ switch.

3, Operate fully from the ESU Ecos controller via the touch screen track plan, separate DCC addresses were given to the wig-wag lights & sound, left barriers and right barriers, again the sound can be turned off once the crossing is clear via a ‘on/off’ switch.


Sequence of operation;

Activate wig-wag lights and sound, steady orange light followed by flashing red lights with siren.

After a few seconds drop down the left side barriers (both sides programmed together)

Once fully down and the crossing is clear, drop down the right side barriers (both sides programmed together)

Crossing is fully clear and closed the siren is turned off leaving the wig-wag lights flashing.

Train passes.

Lift the left and right barriers up together and turn off wig-wag lights.

Crossing back open to road traffic, reset sound switch ready for the next operation.

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History of the modern three-light-Wig-Wag;

"On 6 January 1968, a serious collision occurred at an AHB crossing at Hixon in Staffordshire, killing eleven people. The report into the collision recommended increasing the warning time given to road users at AHB crossings, and it also recommended that the flashing red lights in the road traffic signals be preceded by a steady amber light. In 1970, it was agreed with the Ministry of Transport that amber lights would be provided at all types of crossings with road traffic signals. The MoT issued new requirements for AHB crossings in 1971, incorporating the recommendations of the Hixon report. " - this is the modern three-light wig-wag.