As stated, look into the smokestack to see if there is a smoke unit in there. While your looking read off the number on the side of the engineers cab. If this is a postwar Lionel It's a simple matter to look up the engine and check if it had a smoke unit. If it's from the modern era, 1970 and later, it could be more complicated.
Here is a great reference web site for you to research postwar Lionel. http://www.postwarlionel.com/index.html#Main
The lower priced ones do not smoke.
You can probably tell by looking inside the smokestack with a flashlight. Should be able to see the smoke element on most engines. There would also be some white residue from the smoke inside the stack.
My father just gave me several boxes of trains and track. From what I can tell the track is O size as are most of the cars and engines. I have a couple of lionel engines that are in need of repair but before I got started on them I was wondering if any of them actually blew smoke. I didn't get the model numbers of them but was wondering if there was a way to tell for sure if they do. As I said I am new to this so for all I know all lionel trains may blow smoke. I have downloaded the beginners book and will read it when I get off work, but would love any help before that.
Thanks,
Monica
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