In the early fifties I saw an article on an American Flyer control system which used vacuum tubes to generate different audio frequencies to audio filters in engines and similar to “Audio Engineer”.I thought it was made by AF but I have never seen it since or in any catalog; possibly it was made by a third party.Has anybody ever heard of or seen a system like this?
You’re not thinking of Lionel’s electronic control from 1946, are you?
Interesting, was this an aftermarket item? The only item I know of was the D.C. electronic control. On add shows a kid waving his hand in front of a sensor unit to change the engines direction. How ever the only audio horn/whistle vaccume tube I know of was Gilbert’s “American Flyer electronic whistle”. At best it sounded like a sick cow when activated. If you want to upgrade your AF with sound checkout the Electric RR website. It has plug and play electronics that are capable of excelent sound and direction control via Lionel’s TMCC CAB 1 remote.
The only system I have heard of and have any information about is the Lionel “Majic Electrol.” Made in the late 40’s or early 50’s, used the same electrical signal for a horn to sound off with and that reversed or stopped one locomotive while the other kept going, had to be purchased as a two train outfit.
Lee F.