This list is now blowing smoke out its ears.
Ben Trousdale
--- In [email protected], "Ed" <Loizeaux@...> wrote:
>
> > Ed,
> > I always thought that the big black smoke cloud meant the steam engine was
> > aplying more horsepower to move up certain grade conditions but after
> > leveling off the smoke turned white or disapeared as horsepower was met for
> > flat rail and speed conditions.
> > Alan Lambert
>
> Alan...
>
> Assuming your description to be accurate, this is a great specification for a
> Digital Smoke System (DSS). The DSS should be able to adjust the smoke's
> color and volume for each speed step. More volume and more color under heavy
> load and vice versa for lesser loads. Tsunami already does that for the
> chuff-chuff volume by comparing the set speed step to the current actual
> speed step. And Zimo decoders have an accessory smoke generator with a fan
> which is controlled by the decoder so that individual puffs emanate at the
> rate of four per wheel revolution. The puffs can actually be synchronized to
> the position of the wheels via a cam on the axle.
>
> So the electronic and mechanical issues are fairly well solved. It is the
> chemistry that is not yet fully developed and needs improvement. If we could
> only add some color to political hot air and capture it in a pressure can, we
> might have something to use.
>
> Until a really fantastic DSS is created, my layout room will remain a smoke
> free environment for health reasons. But I would not mind changing that some
> day -- at least for one loop around the mainline.
>
> Cheers....Ed L.
>
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