Oxford South LC

I must be missing something very obvious, but how does this crossing operate? The 'closed' light flashes but, no matter what I then do, the crossing remains impassable. As it isn't mentioned in the manual at all it is no doubt intended to be self-evident, but not to me at least! I'd be grateful for a step by step walk through.

Many thanks, Mike

Also James if the gates are closed at Oxford South LC do we need to use the GF or Annetts key?

Seems to work one way but I cant get the key to untick and close the gates again. Seems to take a very long time to operate. Is the gatekeeper a pensioner with a zimmer ?
Please could someone go through the complete sequence for opening the gates and closing them.
Another annoying thing with the terms open/close is the mental block about what open and close really mean ? Open for rail traffic or open for cars !

Seems to be an archaic way of operating a LC so near to a busy station, however, it may not be in use very often.

Ray in post 96228 said:

Seems to work one way but I cant get the key to untick and close the gates again. Seems to take a very long time to operate. Is the gatekeeper a pensioner with a zimmer ?
Please could someone go through the complete sequence for opening the gates and closing them.
Another annoying thing with the terms open/close is the mental block about what open and close really mean ? Open for rail traffic or open for cars !

Open/Closed is relative to road traffic.

When the sim starts the gates should close automatically (it's a SimSig limitation that they can't start closed).

User will phone wanting to cross.
Ensure no trains approaching / routes set.

Process is then:

Release Frame
Remove (tick) Annetts Key
Open Gates
Close Gates
Replace (untick) Annetts Key
Restore Frame.
Set routes as required.

In real life there aren't any controls on the panel, it's worked by the user on the ground -

Annetts Key unlocks gates - user (generally MOM or historical equivalents) has to open gate on one side; drive their vehicle onto the railway; close and secure gate behind them; unlock and open other gate; drive off railway; secure gate; then walk back across to return key to instrument. Conversations with various current and former Oxford signalmen suggested minimum times to achieve this in the region of 5-8 minutes; open/close times were set accordingly.

Ray in post 96241 said:

Seems to be an archaic way of operating a LC so near to a busy station, however, it may not be in use very often.

Botley Road underline bridge has a height restriction and has been liable to flooding in the past. Fenny Compton used to have the same arrangement, with a separate level crossing at the end of the platform.