Lionel O Train set No. 8304 - Smoke and Whilstle problems

[Anonymous]

I received this train when I was small and am trying to get it going again.  I am trying to get it to smoke.  I put smoke liquid down the smoke stack but it does not smoke.  Also, I know it used to whistle but don't know how to get it to do it again.  Can someone help me?  Thank You Brian

[1688torpedo]

Hello Brian & to the forum!  Before you do anything. Check all of your connections to the track & make sure it is clean & look at the bottom of the Tender to make sure there are no loose wires or connections as well. Also,there is a Wire from the Tender that connects to a Wire coming out of the Engine Cab that operates the Sound Of Steam Circuit in the Tender. Check out everything here first then let us know what happens & we can take it from there. Take Care. P.S.  I've got four of these type of engines & they run well & smoke good. Not as much as newer engines do.However,well enough to satisfy me.

[ChiefEagles]

Brian, welcome to the forum.  Keith, I'm not knowledgable of these engines.  Does it have a smoke off/on switch too? 

[Jumijo]

3 or 4 drops of smoke fluid is plenty. Any more might flood the smoke unit and then it will not smoke.

[phillyreading]

Welcome Brian!

Is the locomotive's number 8304? If so from what information that I can find it was produced or marketed between 1973 & 1975 and is a 4-4-2 wheel arrangement.  According to Greenberg's guide current market value is between $75 and $105 in excellant or new condition, means it looks like it came out of the box new or very close to new for those prices.

Have not seen one so I don't know if it has an off/on switch on the locomotive or tender somewhere.

If you flood the smoke unit turn the engine upside down over a paper towel or other cloth to catch the excess fluid and then try again with only a few drops of smoke fluid.

Lee F.

[1688torpedo]

Hello All!    Chief- The 8304 does not have a on/off switch. The Smoke Generator works all of the time when track power is on. 8304s did not have a Whistle either although the 8204s made in 1972 only had a Whistle integrated into the Sound of Steam Board. We'll have to wait & see what Brian reports later on in order to help him out more.Take Care.