Removing smoke pill residue from a Lionel Post War Steam Engine boiler?

[wpetrag]

Hello:

How and what can I use to remove residue produced by smoke pills from a Lionel Post War Steam Engine boiler without damaging the paint? I tried using an extra soft toothbrush with some luke warm water, but it did not remove the residue fully - it just seemed to smear it around. And, I don't want to use 409 spray cleaner or any other harsh chemical.

Looking forward everyone's replies!

Thanks,

Bill

 

 

 

[kgstones]

Good question as I have the same one.  Plus, I have a 4-6-4 Hudson, engine number 8603, Chesapeake & Ohio, we just bought recently, probably post war if not even newer.  The tender has a sound unit in it that makes the steam engine chugging and hissing sound when it runs.  Don't know about the whistle as our transformer doesn't have a whistle button.  We're trying to get the smoke to work or figure out whether it takes the pills or liquid and if it can take both.  I've been reading other threads and see others are having problems with different brands of liquid smoke etc.

I took the cover off the engine and the baffle part of the smoke unit is operating.  Plus I checked the unit with a meter and it gets current.  We got a small starter set tube of liquid smoke with some other items we bought and tried it and it doesn't work.  I didn't know how many drops to put in so I start with just a few and stopped at about 7.  There was a hint of smoke now and then but not the huff and puff kind I was hoping for.

Main question is do different engines only take pills or liquid and does it get even more complicated than that?  Any help on this is greatly appreciated.

MJS

[PhilaKnight]

Use a little Lube Oil. On some old postwar engines I have has a label inside the cab that says it. I used gun oil even smoke fluid and it worked. I used fluid in all my engines even one that use the pill without ill effects. Only I wouldn't use it on ones with the smoke bulb only the ones with the smoke element

[sulafool]

mineral spirits

[wpetrag]

Dear Sulafool,

 

Thank You! The Mineral Spirits worked like a champ! And, thank you to everyone else who responded as well.

 

Regards,

WTP

[cwburfle]

kgstones

Plus, I have a 4-6-4 Hudson, engine number 8603, Chesapeake & Ohio, we just bought recently, probably post war if not even newer.  The tender has a sound unit in it that makes the steam engine chugging and hissing sound when it runs.  Don't know about the whistle as our transformer doesn't have a whistle button.  We're trying to get the smoke to work or figure out whether it takes the pills or liquid and if it can take both.  I've been reading other threads and see others are having problems with different brands of liquid smoke etc.

Your 8603 is a modern era item from 1976. It's not postwar.It does have a postwar style mechanism, with the probable exception of the smoke unit. While I am not 100 percent certain, I beieve Lionel elminated pellet type smoke units before 1976, refitting the postwar smoke unit to use liquid. If there is a hint of smoke now and then, there is a possiblity that there is too much smoke fluid in the unit. I'll leave it to someone else to recommend some solutions. I am more familar with the postwar style liquid smoke units.

According to the 1976 catalog, your loco has sound of steam, no whistle. is mentioned.

 

[kgstones]

Didn't mean to take over this thread but you guys are helping me a lot.  Thanks for the info on the 8603 locomotive we have.  Is it fair to ask what this locomotive might be worth.  It's in good condition and everything works except for the smoke unit so far.

A few more smoke related questions and that should do it.  What is the typical number of drops of smoke fluid one should add at one time and how long should it last.  It probably depends on the brand and smoke unit but I'd like to have a ball park figure if possible.

And, to test the smoke unit further, can the locomotive be left on for a few minutes in neutral without damaging the motor or anything else so that I can look in it and see what's happening?  Do the elements glow or is the heat not that much.  If there's some other suggestions please let me know.  Again, thanks to all for the help.

 Mickey

[sir james I]

An 8603 would be about $125. but in todays market flooded with trains you may not get that much. It is a good engine with a good motor so oil the axles and armature you should be good to go.  As for smoke fluid it can be used in ALL lionel engines about 3-4 drops. too much fluid will flood the unit and actually keep it from smoking.

[sir james I]

yes you can leave it on the track powered up but the heat element should be hot but not glowing like a toaster if that is whats happening your voltage is too high and the element will burn out.

[cwburfle]

sir james I

yes you can leave it on the track powered up but the heat element should be hot but not glowing like a toaster if that is whats happening your voltage is too high and the element will burn out.

The engine in question should have the MPC smoke fluid modification. If so, the owner will not be able to see the heater element. Looking down the stack, he should sell a fiberglass tube going from side to side, which has a heater element in it's center.
If he does see a heater element, then it's a pill type smoke unit (which can be used with fluid too).

[sir james I]

An 8603 is an MPC engine and would not have a post war heat element unless it had been installed after. As for the coil I have seen more than one in my years of service that glowed red hot right through the wrapper and many others without the wrapper. as the replacer left it off.

[kgstones]

 Again, thanks to all.  I've learned a lot about the 8603 locomotive we have.

Smoke unit:  I've put it on a small circle of track and left it in neutral for a bit.  I didn't add any more smoke fluid as I had added some before.  After about 30 seconds smoke appeared in the stack.  I noticed that I had to have the power on quite high to get that to appear.  Then I ran it around the track but the smoke didn't last, there didn't seem to be enough.  I'm wondering if there isn't enough power when the engine is running on the track since I can't apply more or it will go too fast etc.  This isn't a big deal if I can't get this to work properly since we can still use and enjoy it.  I'm just thinking if there is something else I can do that I don't know about.

Secondly, I read an old thread where someone mentioned unsoldering the smoke unit or putting a small switch in line so it can be turned off.  Is this necessary?  Does it damage the unit if it's on but not being used?

 Thanks again for everyone's help.

Mickey

[sir james I]

Most MPC engines did not smoke well. You could open the smoke unit and add another pad or some  house insulation, do not block the air flow. Add an off switch if you like but if you keep some fluid in the bowl all will be fine. Sometimes you need to add a load of cars in order to get the smoke working. Heavier load=higher voltage.