Long crossing gates

[OldEastRR]

I need some extended '50s RR crossing gates for some very wide highway crossings. The stock ones (everybody's) are only for 2-lane roads. I'd need gates that's 30'(2.5") long from tip to end of counterweight. I know the prototype gates either had a stabilizing leg near the long end, or folded-up like a pocket knife, either kind would be okay for me. I can fab them up from stock styrene, (two NJ international gates patched together aren't long enough) with a NJ counterweight glued to it, but if there's a nicely-detailed one available I'd like to find it.
Other than that, I know they used very long crossing gates in the NE back when, did those have stabilizing legs?

[pdx1955]

The long older style gates were usually in a triangle arrangement rather than a single bar, so that might be a bit more complex to put together.

[OldEastRR]

These will not be working gates. Static models.
I am guessing that modern gates are made from fiberglass and thus longer lengths can be done without extra support. However I would think older wooden gates would need some kind of support at the long end.
Anybody got pix of things like this? (Don't tell me to Google it, Google sux)

[mmagliaro]

This page has some nice photos of long, early style wooden crossing arms

http://www.whippanyrailwaymuseum.net/exhibits/structures/railroad-crossing-gates-a-signals

They are a long "V", with two arms forming a triangular structure, I presume, for rigidity over such a long length.  And note that in these photos, even the arms that only go over a single lane have a prop that sticks out about 2/3 of the way along the length to support the arm when it comes down to its horizontal position.

[Cajonpassfan]

That’s a nice resource, Max, thanks for posting he link.
I have something similar to construct for my 5th Street crossing (San B’dno), see RR diagram below.
Btw, do we know roughly when the railroads started changing the striping color from black to red? Late fifties?
Thanks, Otto

[C855B]

... Btw, do we know roughly when the railroads started changing the striping color from black to red? Late fifties? ...

Later than you think - we know exactly: 1971. That was when the "national" manual (MUTCD) on traffic engineering standards was heavily revised, changing all sorts of major rules on signage and road markings.

Crossing gate striping went from black to red with that edition, and was also when the center dashed line on two-lane roads was changed from white to yellow.

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks Mike, that’s good to know. I knew black/white was good for my circa ‘50 period, but didn’t know the color  change was as late as ‘71. One learns all kinds of things here
Otto

[OldEastRR]

Wow! Those long gates appear to be 45' long! And the neat pedestrian gates -- I remember those on the CB&Q.
Thanks guys for the help. I think I will google "Railroad Museums" next time I need prototype info rather than type in the object I'm looking for, then hit images.

[pdx1955]

The Walthers Trackside built-up structure set (933-2603) has a pair of these gates including the crossing shack. They are positionable, have a gate prop, black and white and are 34' from tip to back of counterweight. I happen to have both the gates and the shack that I won't use. PM me if you want them. @OldEastRR

[OldEastRR]

Since I have NJ International signals with gates I'm just going to glue some strip styrene to the existing gates and paint them. I have only one crossing that needs long gates (and only on one side since the track is right along the layout edge) and this should do it.

[nkalanaga]

Too late now, but I received my copy of the August Trains magazine today.  Page 48 has an end view of one of these old gates, clearly showing the support leg and the triangular form.