Tip For Mounting A Working Crossing Gate

A visitor to my website, Jerry Newman, sent me a question that I didn't know how to answer because I had never tried to so this. Jerry's question was:
"I have a couple of crossing gates (NJ International 1161/LED's) that I want to activate with a Tortoise 800-6000, recommended for this task. My question is: Do you have any suggestions for the location of the 6000 and the down rod (activating rod) of the crossing gate? I have moved the 6000 backwards and forwards and the down rod so many time it is about to wear out. (not really)!"

I'm not using any Tortoise machines at the moment although I have a half dozen from a previous layout. I remember struggling to get the actuating rod in the right place. A friend suggested I use velcro strips to help position the machine because it is easier to move. I was using 2" foam board at the time (another product I no longer like to use, especially under track that has turnouts and switch machines). At the time I had mounted the Tortoise machines on squares of masonite and used wallboard cement and nails to hold them in place until the glue set up. Operating crossing gates, like semaphore signals, would pose additional challenges. As I hadn't tackled this problem before I was waiting to ask someone at our NMRC club if anyone had a solution. I figured Bill Payne would have an answer. I think there have been some articles about mounting crossing gates in the model railroad magazines. Before I could find an answer, Jerry figured it out for himself. He has kindly allowed me to post his solution in case it can help other model railroaders mount their crossing gates. Here's his reply:

"I mounted the Tortoise on a homemade mount, ( a small "L" shaped metal bracket) and turned the Tortoise on its side. I then placed the combination as close to the signal down rod under the table as possible. Then I bent the signal down rod around the wire on the Tortoise making sure the signal down rod forms a complete circle around the Tortoise rod. I slid the fulcrum point until I found the desired position that operates the signal down rod sufficiently, (both raised and lowered). Once this action was satisfactory I glued the signal down rod to the Tortoise activating rod and let it dry. Then I operate a locomotive as a test run across the road crossing. I still had to make some adjustments and re-glue a couple of times but it now works to perfection. You can adjust the motion of the Tortoise by attaching it to a GCP(Grade Crossing Pro) and adjusting the pilot setting screw accordingly. Instructions come with the GCP so you can do this correctly."

I have a couple of places I would like to try this seeing as I have some unused Tortoises. One would be on the CARM layout where I installed crossing flashers that the youngsters can operate by pushing a button recessed into the fascia. On my own layout the street through Utopia Yard could really use some protection before some driver has an accident!