Dissappearing NJ International N scale crossings and signals?

[SkipGear]

Haven't posted here in a while. Haven't posted anywhere in a while, too busy with life and keeping up with our N-trak club and the hobbyshop.

Trying to find assembled lighted cross bucks. NJ International seems to be fading fast, I've had cross bucks on order since April of 2018. Is there another solution out there short of scratch building? I have customers that have more money than talent and would rather buy than build. I can't find anything out there to fill the need.

[C855B]

Yeah, same here, it's been hit-or-miss with NJI lately. For alternatives there are a couple of vendors on Shapeways (search for "crossing signal"), but that certainly doesn't help with the need for finished and pre-wired.

IOW, I also don't know of any other supplier of RTR N scale crossing signals. I'd say there's an opportunity there, but the trouble is signals in general are very labor intensive (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=48289.msg639722#msg639722). I've considered making signals for sale many times, but there's just no way the market could tolerate the real production costs. $50 for a pair of NJI is probably not profitable as it is, once you subtract markups.

[Dave V]

Wow, blast from the past!  Welcome back!

Sorry I can't help you with your problem, though...  Scale change aside, I also now model the "darkest" of all railroading, LOL.

[rray]

I can't find the link right now, but ther was a storefront from china called evermodel that has them in N and Z.

[SkipGear]

Dave,
 Didn't quit modeling, just posting about it. An 8 year old daughter and a now 15 year old son ate up a lot of my time. I actually just resurrected an old project that has been setting too long without progress. Lets see if I remember how to post an image.....oops, I don't. Here's a link. I guess I need to find a new hosting service.

https://www.facebook.com/skipgear/photos/a.685746224811805/2548270658559343/?type=3'

[wm3798]

I have a set that I've been hoarding for some time... you know, waiting for that perfect spot... PM me.  Maybe you can talk me out of them.
They're the nice newer ones with LEDs, reasonably close to scale.

Lee

[mmagliaro]

There's Berkshire Junction  http://berkshirejunction.com/subdirectory/scenery-products/
I use their crossbucks.  I really like them and I think they are closer to scale than the NJI ones. 
They are fully assembled and Berkshire also sells the control boards for detection and flashing.

But...(there's always a "but") their website says they are trying to "semi retire" and sell off the electronics part of their business. It's an old posting, too, that says they are offering a discount on the business price if you take it over before Aug 31st (Aug 31st 2019?  2018? )  So I cannot tell if they are actually still in business anymore.

[peteski]

About 25 years ago I made about a dozen of RR crossing signals (crossing signal and flashign lights - not gates) and sold them in a local hobby shop (Ken's Trains in Sudbury, MA).  Our own @daniel_leavitt2000 (before I knew him) purchased some of them, and installed them on his diorama. The signal even made a cameo appearance on a cover of N-Scale magazine (featuring Daniel's model).  Few others were installed on friend's layouts.

These signals were made from parts of the Bachman RR crossing set.  I just used the crossbuck, the flashing lights housing, and a modified base.  The pole is a brass rod, and LEDs were installed in the light housing.  They actually look pretty decent.  I still have all the parts and fixtures to make more, but with my current projects backlog, I don't think I'll be making more anytime soon.

[Point353]

There's Berkshire Junction  http://berkshirejunction.com/subdirectory/scenery-products/
But...(there's always a "but") their website says they are trying to "semi retire" and sell off the electronics part of their business. It's an old posting, too, that says they are offering a discount on the business price if you take it over before Aug 31st (Aug 31st 2019?  2018? )  So I cannot tell if they are actually still in business anymore.

FWIW, Berkshire Junction usually displays at the annual Springfield/Amherst train show, but they weren't at the show earlier this year.

[alhoop]

About 25 years ago I made about a dozen of RR crossing signals (crossing signal and flashing lights - not gates)

Me too - from Bachmann  gates with LEDs soldered in and the gates controlled by a controller described
in Model Railroader (July 1989). The controller drives an ATM bill dispensing mechanism driving the gates with music wire. Still going strong after 25 years.
Anyone can build these( we are modelers after all) and I can't see anyone needing more than 3 or 4.
Al

[C855B]

... I can't see anyone needing more than 3 or 4.

I see at least 18 (9 pair) in my future. Have 4 with gates already. Not that I'm against cranking 'em out on the Photon, but that's only 50% of the job. Buy vs. make takes precedence unless "buy" is off the table.

[wm3798]

Does the one facing the back drop need to have flashing lights?

Lee

[daniel_leavitt2000]

About 25 years ago I made about a dozen of RR crossing signals (crossing signal and flashign lights - not gates) and sold them in a local hobby shop (Ken's Trains in Sudbury, MA).  Our own @daniel_leavitt2000 (before I knew him) purchased some of them, and installed them on his diorama. The signal even made a cameo appearance on a cover of N-Scale magazine (featuring Daniel's model).  Few others were installed on friend's layouts.

These signals were made from parts of the Bachman RR crossing set.  I just used the crossbuck, the flashing lights housing, and a modified base.  The pole is a brass rod, and LEDs were installed in the light housing.  They actually look pretty decent.  I still have all the parts and fixtures to make more, but with my current projects backlog, I don't think I'll be making more anytime soon.

I ended up with nearly half of Pete's entire run. I know a good thing when I see them.

The unlit signs were images I took directly from the US roadway recommended practices handbook. Years ago I made large PDF sheets that print hundreds of standard sized signs for N scale using images from that book. Printed on a photo sheet and cut with a scalpel, they look pretty good. The need has lessened since Tichy Train Group started making their own signs that are pretty good.

I wonder if crossbucks, crossing signals, gates and cantilevered signals would be something Showcase would be interested in? They already do signals and work with pewter. It would be right in their wheelhouse and I would love to see how their modular approach could innovate in this area.

[OldEastRR]

Another example of the No 1 model railroad builder rule "If you ever see anything you might want to use someday, BUY IT. It may not be around when you finally decide you want one (or find out you do)".
It's foolproof. Even if you don't use the item(s), with the internet you'll easily find somebody who desperately wants it.

[DeltaBravo]

Haven't posted here in a while. Haven't posted anywhere in a while, too busy with life and keeping up with our N-trak club and the hobbyshop.

Trying to find assembled lighted cross bucks. NJ International seems to be fading fast, I've had cross bucks on order since April of 2018. Is there another solution out there short of scratch building? I have customers that have more money than talent and would rather buy than build. I can't find anything out there to fill the need.

Not to sound stupid, but did you call them?  (727) 281-8268