Background information:
In addition to the rail-bearing concrete plates, the concrete level crossing plates are most commonly used in the Netherlands for making a level crossing. The concrete crossing plates are often used in combination with streets consisting of concrete paving stones or asphalt. It is striking that the plates consist of 3 elements. one between the rails and two next to the rails. The elements next to the rails are in reality often not sufficiently wide to bridge the entire distance between the tracks in a double track situation. In those cases, concrete paving stones are usually placed between the concrete elements. This can easily be simulated with the "narrow V shaped ditch" found in the Markenburg theme "pavements".
Architectural details:
The width of a railway crossing / road, determines how many slabs are laid one after the other in the longitudinal direction of the track. The length of one concrete crossing slab is actually 2.4m. This allows one narrow lane to cross the track. A set of Markenburg level crossing plates contains 4 lengths. Enough for 2 lanes of normal width. In reality, the top of the concrete crossing plates is just below the top of the rails. In model, the height can be determined to an accuracy of 0.8 mm by placing the supplied layers of skeleton cardboard on top of each other, as required for the track type used.
When placing the level crossing parts, it is advised to first place only the skeletal layers with wood glue. Allow it to dry for a few hours. Then perform all wet work around it, such as ballasting or placing scenery. Finally, when everything has been able to dry, apply the top layer of the level crossing with a modest amount of wood glue.
