• Item owner - FNM

• Category - FNM Collection

• Inventory - 1701

• Author - Montini

• Dimensions - 317x65x67 cm

• Dating - 1946-1990

The barrier machine was rectangular in shape, with its long vertical side anchored to a small concrete base. Inside it, a pulley controlled by a wire rotated a metal tube with a big counterweight at the bottom, while the top part emerged from the casing and a red and white striped rod as long as the width of the road was inserted into the hollow tube. A tube topped with a bell-shaped dome and a pinwheel also emerged from the case. Inside it was a chime.

The red-and-white striped barrier was lowered into horizontal position to block the passage of vehicles on the road toward the railway line when a train was about to arrive. The bell warned that the level crossing was about to close.

It was operated manually from booths positioned at level crossings along the line. Level crossings in stations were electrically controlled by pressing a button on the control panel in the station, and the condition of the level crossing determined the appearance of the signals regulating train circulation.