Ok, I think I'll end the poll as I pretty much have a good idea of things. Thank you to those who replied.

Has a poll been taken to inquire the age of this forum's members? If so, sorry I have missed it or overlooked it.
I'll start; I turn 61 in 17 days and have been fully retired since '05.

Roland

Crossing bell update;

The bell cleaned up rather nicely and found no problems, or so I thought. After wire brushing all of the fasteners and oil lubing the moving parts, I began reassembly. I had a 12 vdc battery at hand and some wire and energized the posts as per the schematic. The striker ...

I have a 12 volt battery and once it get the bell cleaned up, I'll check it to see if it works. I'll get some photos and try to post them on here.

Today, I acquired my first crossing bell and was told that it works. I am in the process of minor disassembly to clean out the cobwebs and spiders and checking things over. Anything I need to be particularly aware of as far as electrical connections? Is connecting the contacts with a 12 volt battery ...

I have a crossing gate (arm) with the three lights currently attached. For static display purposes only I would like to energize these lights to operate like at a normal railroad crossing with the arm down and the lights; 1 on steady and the other 2 flashing. What relay(s) would I need to accomplish ...

For the sake of clarification, I think the proper name for these 'buildings' are relay cabinets. They aren't exactly a hut or house.
My maintainer friend is a Harley rider, so he eats his steaks raw! J/K I have been trying to catch up with him, but with the aftermath of this winter storm I'm sure he ...

The nearest shortline to me is probably 100 miles away; I live near the BNSF Transcon.
I do have a pickup w/trailer which came in handy to bring home an extra heavy railroad item one time. Heavy isn't a big factor.
I am good friends with a BNSF signal maintainer, I just thought there might be ...

My reference to relay case/hut would be like the one in the top photo shown by gedunk. Is there anyone on this forum who has one that they currently have with their signal collection?

The one shown in the top photo is what I would like to acquire at some point; legally and not "midnight delivery ...

I think we are talking about two different things here. The relay hut/house/case I am referring to are the small metal buildings that set trackside and hold the various relays and other electronic equipment needed to operate wayside signals or crossing signals. If someone has one, how do they have ...