Kooljock1 wrote:I usually reserve a snowy weekend in January for my yearly smoke unit re-packing. I keep a short step-ladder up-stairs next to the attic crawl-space hatch to access my wadding supply!I've also heard that Tiki-Torch wicking sold at Home Depot or Lowes works well.I've heard that. But the insulation is free and already in my basement.But the real secret is cutting off that dang-blasted sock!Agreed. It smokes much better without it.That, and using J.T.'s Mega-Steam!Jon
I've heard that. But the insulation is free and already in my basement.But the real secret is cutting off that dang-blasted sock!
Agreed. It smokes much better without it.That, and using J.T.'s Mega-Steam!Jon
I filled my Polar Express smoke unit with J.T.'s Mega-Steam (Apple Harvest to be exact) after it was repacked. It smoked up a storm and I was very pleased! Been using it in a few locos since with great results. Gonna go listen to the Monkees play "I'm a Believer" now.
Jim
Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale
Kooljock1 wrote:I usually reserve a snowy weekend in January for my yearly smoke unit re-packing. I keep a short step-ladder up-stairs next to the attic crawl-space hatch to access my wadding supply!I've also heard that Tiki-Torch wicking sold at Home Depot or Lowes works well.But the real secret is cutting off that dang-blasted sock!That, and using J.T.'s Mega-Steam!Jon
Hey Kool, I have heard the same thing. Was told it did NOT char as bad.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
When you flip the engine over, you will see two screws at the very rear of the cab. Remove them. Then up near the pilot wheels there are two more. Remove them. That's all there is to it. If you mix the screws up after you take them out of the shell, the two thin ones go in the front.
Thanks to everyone for the replies. I have looked at the Lionel website exploded drawings for some direction on how to get the boiler shell off. It is usually a matter of removing some screws under the Cab and pilot. The Lionel drawings are not real explicit on this however. I think it is a relatively straight forward thing but I don't want to screw it up. Is it obvious as to how to do this?
Thanks,
George
Jumijo wrote: George and Roland.I experienced the same thing with my Lionel Polar Express Berk (George, you have the same smoke unit, just a different Berk shell). Here's what I did;After opening the shell, remove the screw the holds the smoke unit to the frame. This makes it easier to remove the top (cap) of the smoke unit. With the cap off the unit, carefully cut off the tubular shaped cloth "sock" from the heater element (under the cap) with a hobby knife or small scissors. Take care not to damage the heater element. Once you've done that, the hardest part is behind you.Now remove all of the fiberous stuff from the bowl of the smoke unit. Replace it with pink "cotton candy" type insulation. I've found that you want enough so that when you put the cap back on, the element will nestle into the insulation. Be carefull not to block the air holes. If the cap goes back on a little loose because of the insulation, not to worry. The shell will hold it down.Put the cap back on, then re-attach the smoke unit to the frame with that screw. The Lionel Berks do not have a fan-driven smoke unit. But make sure the puffer mechanism is moving freely. Make sure the little donut shaped gasket is on the top of the cap. Pop the shell back on, being careful not to pich any wires (like the one to the headlight) and load the unit with 8-10 drops of smoke fluid. It should now smoke you out of the room. As Roland said, you will need to repack the smoke unit with new insulation from time to time. I've found this to be true. Ours lasted a little over a year. Jim
George and Roland.
I experienced the same thing with my Lionel Polar Express Berk (George, you have the same smoke unit, just a different Berk shell). Here's what I did;
After opening the shell, remove the screw the holds the smoke unit to the frame. This makes it easier to remove the top (cap) of the smoke unit. With the cap off the unit, carefully cut off the tubular shaped cloth "sock" from the heater element (under the cap) with a hobby knife or small scissors. Take care not to damage the heater element. Once you've done that, the hardest part is behind you.
Now remove all of the fiberous stuff from the bowl of the smoke unit. Replace it with pink "cotton candy" type insulation. I've found that you want enough so that when you put the cap back on, the element will nestle into the insulation. Be carefull not to block the air holes. If the cap goes back on a little loose because of the insulation, not to worry. The shell will hold it down.
Put the cap back on, then re-attach the smoke unit to the frame with that screw. The Lionel Berks do not have a fan-driven smoke unit. But make sure the puffer mechanism is moving freely. Make sure the little donut shaped gasket is on the top of the cap. Pop the shell back on, being careful not to pich any wires (like the one to the headlight) and load the unit with 8-10 drops of smoke fluid. It should now smoke you out of the room.
As Roland said, you will need to repack the smoke unit with new insulation from time to time. I've found this to be true. Ours lasted a little over a year.
REPEAT REPEAT REPEAT!!!
After opening the shell, remove the screw that holds the smoke unit to the frame. This makes it easier to remove the top (cap) of the smoke unit. With the cap off the unit, carefully cut off the tubular shaped cloth "sock" from the heater element (under the cap) with a hobby knife or small scissors. Take care not to damage the heater element. Once you've done that, the hardest part is behind you.
overall wrote: My late model Lionel Brerkshire produces less smoke than it did when I first got it. I have been careful to keep smoke fluid in it so that the unit will not burn out. I put in about 5 drops. Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong?George
My PE berk seems to be fading too...I did do the pink insulation MOD when it was new and got improved performance afterwards. I didn't cut the "sock" off the heater element though...I may open mine up again for a repacking and see how that sock looks. I've been good about keeping my smoke box good and wet with fluid. I think you just have to repack them once in a while; I've been running the heck out of my PE, never without smoke!
Roland
GEORGE,
Great name by the way same as mine. First if it is a TMCC engine make sure you hit the aux 1 and number 9 to produce smoke. And regaurdless of what you have either TMCC or conventional a little blow down the stack with unclog any air bubbles. Hope this helps.
laz57
My late model Lionel Brerkshire produces less smoke than it did when I first got it. I have been careful to keep smoke fluid in it so that the unit will not burn out. I put in about 5 drops. Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong?
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month