some times I find I have an image spring to mind...
I have to try to share it.
Put the gates onto solinoids to activate them
and use springs to return them.
put a red button on the facia
Use the button to clear the loco off the rails!
a loco as a pinball.
realism be damned.
aaaaand back to my day job.
a R/C servo seems a good idea to me....
a long arm. servo output in the center.
one gate on one arm end and the other gate on the other arm.
the servo arm is the center of the Z
victor