Hey guys,
I'm really ashamed of myself on this one...and I hate to have another tech question on a post number less than ten...so please forgive me.
One of the very last locomotives I bought before I "put up everything" was Williams brass 2-8-2 Mikado- about 10 or 15 years ago. I believe I burned up the smoke unit in it. I simply love this little engine, and want to get it smoking again. Where should I go for parts? Is this a Seuthe unit? I have the original sliver picuture box that came with it, but for the life of me, I can't find the manual! I think I let it run dry...the center "post" in the unit is kinda melted looking and it won't smoke...
Are parts even available for these in case I loose any more of the little washers and nuts on the connecting rods? I remember this one had a bad habit of having the nuts on the wheels fall off...
Your patience with me is appreciated.
Don't be ashamed... you learn about the hobby by asking questions!
Yes, Williams used Seuthe smoke units. You could try contacting Bachmann for a part number. You could also just figure out what voltage range youe loco best runs, and then buy a Seuthe unit designed for that voltage. I don't know if Seuthe has changed their product numbers since you first bought your Mikado.
Note, that you NEED to use Suethe smoke fluid with their units, since their smoke fluid is a different composure than most, and is designed for the Seuthe units. You might also check with your hobby shop and see if they carry the Aristo Craft or LBG lines, as they make smoke units too and one of them might work.,, some of them are big as they are for "G" scale, but they make them in differing sizes. I have a Model Power smoke unit that would also fit in your loco, but it might need a small resistor on it to keep it from burning out too rapidly.
I really like the Bachmann smoke units and use them in buildings... they last longer than any Seuthe unit I've ever had, but they're kind of a square unit and would be a challenge to mount in your steamer.
Another note, Seuthe does make a special fluid that is a puffing fluid designed to mimic the puffing of a steam loco.
One more thought, you might try contacting MTH (or Lionel even) and see if they sell their fan driven smoke units separately. I don't know if it would fit... you'd need to ask MTH for a dimension. But folks really like how MTH steamers put out smoke.
Just some ideas for you.
brianel, Agent 027
"Praise the Lord. I may not have everything I desire, but the Lord has come through for what I need."
Thanks!
I will try see if I can find the Seuthe website or a supplier. I don't remember having any other smoke fluid other than the Lionel brand of fluid. That may be the reason it burned out! Well, that just rubs me that I could have been that stupid.
I suppose the more I live, the more I learn- the hard way that is..
Heck,
I just looked it up...it looks just like a number 6 or 7 unit...and I was expecting it to be about $100.00! Whew, that's a relief! I'm going to order one tomorrow!
Conversely, William's smoke fluid works great in my Lionel smoke units! Thick, white smoke.
Jim
Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Hello DarkKnight,
I own one of those Williams brass Mikados, and have had to replace the smoke unit in it (due to having gummed it up with smoke fluid not made by Seuthe). This locomotive has a voltage regulator which limits the smoke generator voltage to about 6 volts, so it uses a Seuthe #5 smoke generator. As the #5 generator operates at 4-6 volts, it will produce a high volume of smoke at a very low speed. The smoke unit may be easily replaced by simply removing the front of the smokebox - no need to remove the locomotive's body. You should, of course, verify that your model is equipped with the low-voltage regulator that limits the smoke generator's voltage. This may be accomplished by appling full voltage to the loco's collector while measuring the (DC, I believe) voltage on the smoke generator lead wires - it should not ever go much above 6 volts. Oh, just in case you didn't know, there is a switch underneath the locomotive's cab that turns the smoke generator on and off.
As for the connecting rod fasteners, you could try contacting what is now Bachmann for replacements, but bear in mind that this locomotive was made for Williams by a foreign manufacturer, and there may be no replacement parts available. My Mikado has a defect in one of the driver wheels, in which the drive tire groove wasn't properly machined. Because of this, the rubber drive tire would not stay on the wheel. Much to my dismay, I found upon contacting Williams that they did not have replacement drive wheels to correct my problem - but fortunately, my locomotive operates well with only one drive tire. I would recommend putting Locktite on the drive rod fasteners to prevent them from coming loose.
Hope this helps !
WSboyette
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