Does anyone know how to add both tmcc and speed control to a conventional Lionel steam loco that came factory equipped with the whistle steam effect without sacrificing the ability to access that whistle steam effect or any of the other features that tmcc and speed control offers? Is it possible to do it?
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Does anyone know how to add both tmcc and speed control to a conventional Lionel steam loco that came factory equipped with the whistle steam effect without sacrificing the ability to access that whistle steam effect or any of the other features that tmcc and speed control offers? Is it possible to do it?
Place the electronics in the tender with tether to locomotive.
Steve, Lady and Tex
I recall that sometime last winter there was an involved discussion thread between Gunrunnerjohn and others who were talking about developing a way to allow the steam whistle steam/smoke effect to be triggered as well as the other effects: whistle, bell, RailSounds with steam chuffing, and user activated crew dialogue scenarios that came with the engine I'm referring to: Lionel's 6-18754 Polar Express Berkshire steam loco with die-cast loco and tender shell.
I was wondering if the discussion ever got further than the conceptual talking about "if it was possible" stage.
There will be a TMCC controlled whistle steam board coming, we haven't given up on that project. I was initially going to modify another little ERR board, but I'm thinking I may lay out a board specifically for the task. If I mod a board, I have to hand hack each one, if I build a board, I can produce them in greater quantities with a lot less work. The plan is to have an ouput for whistle steam and blowdown. Of course, I'd also include the enhanced chuffer and lighting effects on the same board so it would be an all-in-one.
I did do some software work on the whistle steam and blowdown, it's really the hardware that I need to create now.
There will be a TMCC controlled whistle steam board coming, we haven't given up on that project. I was initially going to modify another little ERR board, but I'm thinking I may lay out a board specifically for the task. If I mod a board, I have to hand hack each one, if I build a board, I can produce them in greater quantities with a lot less work. The plan is to have an ouput for whistle steam and blowdown. Of course, I'd also include the enhanced chuffer and lighting effects on the same board so it would be an all-in-one.
I did do some software work on the whistle steam and blowdown, it's really the hardware that I need to create now.
I haven't looked at S-gauge, I'd have to open one up and see how much room there is. Obviously, the form-factor of the board can be adjusted for fit as long as there's enough room in total.
Sounds good, gunrunnerjohn. Please keep us updated on it's progress, when it will finally be available and where (ERR or your own company, etc.)
BTW, for all the boards/items you're developing, have you thought of accepting emails from potential customers so you'd be able to notify them immediately when the boards become available for sale?
Locomotives with a mechanical puffing smoke unit really aren't a candidate for this board, it's primary purpose is to control the smoke unit fan in an intelligent manner. It also manages the Rule 17 lighting and cab lights, but that could be done with a much smaller board if you didn't have the smoke control.
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