Waiting
Yes, level crossing.... there are some near here right in the middle of Hounslow and it seems you have to wait an age after the barriers drop before the train puts in an appearance so it must be some distance away.
Like you, I like to put an autohornz a short distance from such crossings so I just guess it, run the route and see how it looks. If it needs adjustment then it is and then run again.
Personally I think we get far too complicated, this is a game after all. Some folk like to run prototypically and there's nothing wrong with that, so whatever your poison is....
Angela