Lionel Legacy AC-9 Whistle Steam Demo

Cool photos but, I don't see/hear anything in your video.

Well that's much better than the ole hole in the boiler trick. It's the details that matter. Thank you for sharing.

Do you think steam effects from the steam chest will ever come back?

J Daddy posted:

 

Do you think steam effects from the steam chest will ever come back?

Do you mean the cylinder cocks, located on the bottom of the cylinders?

That is really cool.  I have the ATSF 3000 and I really like how the smoke actually exits from whistle itself not a conspicuous hole in the top of the boiler.  Thank you for making the effort to have the steam leave the whistle on the AC9.

Have you ever considered wiring the fan motors so that they always push air through the plumbing, even if the smoke effect switch is in the off position?  I wonder if that regular movement of air would prevent clogging.  Just a thought for your engineers to consider.

Thanks for sharing the video.

Thanks for sharing Dave!  Did you get your catalog?  LOL!

MartyE posted:

Thanks for sharing Dave!  Did you get your catalog?  LOL!

I don't think that catalog video is professional.

Thanks Dave, did you end up ordering what you wanted from the new catalog?  

Nice I like it!!

It looks nice, can't wait to see the other products 

Is there a video that one can see and LISTEN to the sound of the whistle on this new model?  I understand that it is a fine sounding whistle.

Steve

Ok, I'll play along. Since you've already gone through the trouble of casting the whistle as a hollow piece, why not just go all the whole 9 yards and blow it out the mouth of the whistle like its supposed to, rather than out the top?

"Thanks for sharing Dave!  Did you get your catalog?  LOL!"

"Thanks Dave, did you end up ordering what you wanted from the new catalog?   "

Yes and yes. I'm personally excited for the AC-9 and the S-2 Prewar-color set!

"Have you ever considered wiring the fan motors so that they always push air through the plumbing, even if the smoke effect switch is in the off position?  I wonder if that regular movement of air would prevent clogging.  Just a thought for your engineers to consider."

I have explored options on helping to prevent the meniscus that blocks up the smoke units. Constantly running the fan would contribute to a short motor life, so that wouldn't work. But look for improvements in the future!

"Is there a video that one can see and LISTEN to the sound of the whistle on this new model?  I understand that it is a fine sounding whistle."

My apologies for not explaining this. When I receive samples, it's for the initial mechanical inspection. So there has been no code work or sound work done yet. I agree the original whistle was very nice, but it'll require a lot of work to bring it up to Legacy standards (I.E. making it quillable). Had I put the sounds in from another steam engine, I would have never heard the end of it. We all know how this forum works. 

"Since you've already gone through the trouble of casting the whistle as a hollow piece, why not just go all the whole 9 yards and blow it out the mouth of the whistle like its supposed to, rather than out the top?"

This was explored. The issue was that the mouth would not have allowed for enough escape for the smoke. This would run the risk of choking off the smoke unit and likely causing the fluid to constantly plug the holes. Also, with the mouth having holes, the entire whistle structure would have been weakened and fragile.

Thanks again!

Hey Dave, when will we see the cylinder steam effect on another engine like here:  https://youtu.be/SaKSdRrFnbY

"...why not just go all the whole 9 yards and blow it out the mouth of the whistle like its supposed to, rather than out the top?"

You see what happens? It just never ends.

I use the horn on my TMCC AC-9 (favorite articulated, real and model - if your new one had been after the oil conversion...you might have had me...) - so - air horns often eject vapor ("steam") when used...now, where's my air horn "vapor"? 

Seriously, great effort on the whistle steam. Better than the hole.

D500 posted:

so - air horns often eject vapor ("steam") when used...now, where's my air horn "vapor"? 

In all my years of working in the railroad motive power industry, I have NEVER seen an air horn admit "vapor"! Remember that the compressed air supply on diesel locomotives is cooled & dried, twice.

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the response.  I should have been more clear.  I meant to suggest that the fan motors could spin when the whistle is activated via the CAB2, regardless of whether the smoke effect is on or not.  That way the fan would work more often (whenever the whistle is on) than current settings but not be spinning constantly.

IMO smoke out of the top of the whistle casting is a big improvement and I am more than satisfied by this improvement!  Good job!

Thanks Dave!!

I am extremely interested in the AC-9; hoping to see and hear a video of it running;  let us know when a video is available.

Yeah, I noticed that whistle angle in the catalog!  It should be a blast!  Thanks!  Bill's O-gauge Trains!

Never stop improving.

Thanks for taking the time to give us this update, Dave. This new method for whistle steam is a lot better in my opinion. Can't wait to see the new AC-9's and (personally) the Light Mikados later this year.