Stumbled on two manufacturers that make a fusee animator (fusee refers to putting a railroad flare on the track as a warning to other trains or even automobiles if placed over a grade crossing).  The two in question are Logic Rail, with 1 LED, and Bakatronics, with 2 LEDs running out of fiber optics.  Bakatronics has a demo video on their site for it.  I thought the effect looked rather neat, in a whimsical sort of way.    Anyone have any experience with these, or with making your own circuit?