RMI Crossing Gates

This forum is dedicated to the Live Steam Hobbyist Community.

Moderators: cbrew, Harold_V

Post Reply
User avatar
Trainman4602
Posts: 3482
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 9:26 pm
Location: New Jersey

RMI Crossing Gates

Post by Trainman4602 »

Hi all
is there anyone out there using RMI crossing gates I need some foundation specifications Thanks Dave
ALLWAYS OPERATING MY TRAIN IN A SAFE MANNER USING AUTOMATIC AIR BRAKES
User avatar
Atkinson_Railroad
Posts: 226
Joined: Mon Jun 08, 2015 6:27 pm
Location: Michigan
Contact:

Re: RMI Crossing Gates

Post by Atkinson_Railroad »

Hey Dave;

As you may already know, the subject of signal foundations falls into one of the elusive subject matters seldom if ever discussed
within the miniature railroading hobby.

My research and observations along the way have formed the opinion that manufacturers of full-size signaling equipment also leave the requirements for the foundation to the engineering department of the railroad [itself] for determination.

I’m hazarding a guess the reason for this is because each installation calls for its own answer.

Clay in North Carolina verses sand in Northern Michigan to give an example.

Just for fun, I’ve taken the drawing of a RMI grade crossing signal and matched it to an actual
foundation drawing for a full-size instrument case to provide a form of visual reference.
It looks like the foundation required for the signal could be close to three feet in depth.

Does the foundation for the RMI signal need to be as robust as it appears in the screen shot?
Probably not, but again… it would depend on where the signal was intended to be installed.

Last year I played around with making a foundation for installing a signal measuring 5’-8-1/2” tall.

Because I had previous reference material on how the signal had been mounted in the past,
I made a guess and cast a couple of new foundations approximately 15 inches tall.
The signal has been installed, has endured wind from passing storms etc, and is still standing.

For what it’s worth, the design feature of the below grade voids on all four sides of the foundation provides an exceptional
gripping of the earth and should be implemented into your own ideas if you can.

A couple /three pictures attached for reference.

John
Attachments
SIGNAL FOUNDATION.JPG
FOUNDATION -1.JPG
8646.jpg
Post Reply