Toy train operating and collecting

Interested in O gauge, S gauge, and Standard gauge toy trains? Are you a fan of Lionel, MTH, American Flyer, and other brands of toy trains made today and in the past? If so, the Classic Toy Trains Toy train operating and collecting forum is just for you. If you're new here, please read our forum policies.

Last post 08-02-2009 7:17 PM by jmkk. 7 replies.
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07-31-2009 4:41 AM
Offline catdoing
Not Ranked
Joined on 07-29-2008
north carolina
Posts 63

smoke unit

where can i get good aftermarket smoke units for lionel command control thanks

07-31-2009 8:55 AM In reply to
Offline Train-O
Not Ranked
Joined on 09-02-2008
Posts 626

Re: smoke unit

catdoing,

If, your local hobby shop don't have one, then go on line and try Olsen's Trains, or Lionel themselves, but wait for the first week of Aug. 2009, as Lionel is settling in at their new facility in Ohio, U.S.A.

How long have you had yours?

I bought mine in Jun. of this here year and though it is supposedly brand new, it was made in 2002!   It's also a T.M.C.C. and in addition to the smoke unit being defective, the rear motor was not seated properly and when in reverse the rear motor would rise up causing a bind in the gears of the rear truck.

I took it to my local hobby shop and I found out that this so called brand new unit was, evidently, not so brand new, only brand new to me!

The smoke unit had to be replaced and the metric mounting screws, holding the rear motor, also had to be replaced with, good ole' American, regular screws and the screw holes, which receive the mounting screws, had to be retapped-"Sold American!"

The new regular-American screws have a better thread-'bite' for holding, compared to the metric screws which have a thinner thread and are easily damaged during the motor's torque movements.   In addition to the smoke and motor problems, there were a couple of loose ground wires.

I had posted the problems of my engine and other forum members told me, exactly, what was wrong.

The locomotive is expensive, right away it has problems and the repairs are expensive too!   What more can you ask for!

Go figure!

What happened to good ole' American ingenuity?

Good luck in finding the correct-model smoke unit, though they may appear similar, there's differences in their shape, internal parts placement and voltagages, so be careful.

Go on line to the Lionel web.site and look for their parts list.  The list will not only give the part number, but other pertinent info. of the part and what engine(s) it is used in.

Ralph

08-01-2009 4:09 AM In reply to
Offline catdoing
Not Ranked
Joined on 07-29-2008
north carolina
Posts 63

Re: smoke unit

Well i have 6 tmcc engines and ive replaced the smoke units in them 3-4 times.IMm looking for aftermarket units as ive not had much luck with the lionel units. Thanks

08-01-2009 6:26 AM In reply to
Offline Buckeye Riveter
Top 50 Contributor
Joined on 03-08-2004
Roger's Corners, OHIO
Posts 5,869

Re: smoke unit

On my stable of TMCC Locomotives, I try to use the ALT 8 command to turn off the non fan smoke units when not being used.  I burnt up a couple units when they went dry.  

08-01-2009 8:04 AM In reply to
Offline MartyE
Top 500 Contributor
Joined on 04-27-2003
Pittsburgh, PA
Posts 1,241

Re: smoke unit

I've had good success just tuning them up...

 

http://www.martye.com/TipsandTricks/TipsandTrick5.htm

08-01-2009 8:13 AM In reply to
Offline ChiefEagles
Top 10 Contributor
Joined on 02-03-2004
Rolesville, NC
Posts 10,543

Re: smoke unit

MartyE:

I've had good success just tuning them up...

 

http://www.martye.com/TipsandTricks/TipsandTrick5.htm

Agree

08-01-2009 8:38 PM In reply to
Offline Train-O
Not Ranked
Joined on 09-02-2008
Posts 626

Re: smoke unit

To All Forum Members,

Is This What I Have To Look Forward To?

More than one smoke unit going bad?

And I thought that my first/one engine's smoke unit going bad, was te be repaired forever!

Am I in for it!

Ralph 

08-02-2009 7:17 PM In reply to
Offline jmkk
Not Ranked
Joined on 01-22-2007
Berea, OH
Posts 319

Re: smoke unit

In my opinion smoke units are a wear item just like tires on a car. With the amount of smoke people want you need a lot of heat. Eventually the wicking will burn and need replaced. The heating element that makes the heat will burn up and need replacing. And eventually the whole thing is going to wear out and need replaced. I average about 3 months on the wicking and 6-12 months on a heating element. I always have the smoke on!!! I also quit using the boost button. I found this to shorten the life of all the components in the smoke unit. I also agree with the Mary and Chief about the link to modify the unit I followed there advice a while back and am glad I did.
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