Keep us posted on how it goes. If it works, take photos and post. That way we all learn. Thanks
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Hi Fire fighter nick
I took my PE engine apart this moring I dont know how in the name of God are you going to put a fan driven smoke unit in there there is no room the boaard is to long for one thing mounting the smoke unit is not the problem where to put the board is unless thet put the board in the tender Thanks again Ed
trainman413 Thanks Firefighter Nick I did not relize what the parts were I am going to try to order them tomorrow Thanks Again I really appreciate it I willlet you know how I make out when parts arrive Ed
Thanks Firefighter Nick I did not relize what the parts were I am going to try to order them tomorrow Thanks Again I really appreciate it I willlet you know how I make out when parts arrive Ed
FYI....I too have the Polar Express....and I already started to take mine apart...the old smoke unit is out and wiring all labled....just waiting on the wife aproval for me to order the parts...then I'll post pictures and detailed instructions on the whole process of installing/upgrading
trainman413 Hi Thanks for the info but I dont belive the parts you say I need are for a fan driven smoke unit I am going to look into the part numbers you gave me Thanks so much for the info hope it works Ed
Hi Thanks for the info but I dont belive the parts you say I need are for a fan driven smoke unit I am going to look into the part numbers you gave me Thanks so much for the info hope it works Ed
Hello again, I spoke to a Lionel repair tech and he gave me those part #'s the fan-driven smoke unit is off of a 0-8-0 and he said that is what he ued in the past for a Jr Berk... The Cherry switch(Micro Switch) is to be used with the mech lever that moves the plunger to puff the smoke....insted of direct wiring the smoke unit to the rollers you take the +fan wire and connect it to the cherry switch to acavate the fan and make it look more realistic insted of the fan continueous run....
Firefighter Nick
Thanks I will give it a world Sincerly Ed
Trainman, the puffer type of smoke unit that Lione uses in their basic steam locos will NEVER smoke like say an MTH steamer - which can have advantages, especiaqlly if other people in the house are sensitive to it. BUT may a suggest a simple idea to get more smoke out of your loco: try some other brands of smoke fluid other than the Lionel brand. I've used the following brands of smoke fluid in Lionel steamers: Seauthe, Bachmann, Super Smoke, Model Power and Crest. Some of these are a much better buy than the Lionel fluid per ounce. All of them work sufficiently and I think all of them produce more smoke. The noticable ones would be the Suethe, Super Smoke and Bachmann fluids.
Bachmann also make an absolutely marvelous smoke unit that is good for buildings and structures. For around $6 cost, I have had these units for years - they have long outlasted any Seuthe smoke units I have ever had and have long since gone kaput.
Well just a simple thought and suggestion that might make you happy while saving a few bucks.
brianel, Agent 027
"Praise the Lord. I may not have everything I desire, but the Lord has come through for what I need."
trainman413 Hello Can anyone help me out I am looking for a way to install a fan driven smoke unit in a Polar Express engine My son wants it to smoke like the movie LOL the smoke unit in it now is very poor I know TA studios use to do it but not no more I should have sent it when I had the chance I dont think it should be very hard if I only had a picture of one that was installed any help will be greatly appreciated
Hello
Can anyone help me out I am looking for a way to install a fan driven smoke unit in a Polar Express engine My son wants it to smoke like the movie LOL the smoke unit in it now is very poor I know TA studios use to do it but not no more I should have sent it when I had the chance I dont think it should be very hard if I only had a picture of one that was installed any help will be greatly appreciated
Sorry that I do not have pictures to show you but I'll put you on the right track on getting the parts. Here are the part #'s that you'll need to put a fan-driven smoke unit in a P.E. 8057-200 SmokeUnitAssy.Complete , 0401-162 CherrySwitch or you can use this switch also 8082-152 Smoke Lever and Cherry Switch Assy, oh and don't forget about the screws for the smoke unit ;8082-313 Screw each need 2. do an easy search for these parts on the net and you'll be able to find them.....and they are all Lionel part # .
Hope this helps you out.
Thank You for the fast reply I was reading about that seems that some guys are happy others not my polar has the china plastic junk for a smoke unit, in my eyes it will never smoke good with plastic in it if it gets to hot everything will melt LOL I also think there is to much air loss or not enough going up through to blow the smoke out maybe I am wrong I just though someone might have put in a fan unit and I just wanted to see how they went about it Thanks again for your help I will try that before getting into the fan unit Sincerly Ed
Thank You for the info I will look into it Thanks Ed
Try buying a Lionel unit or an MTH [smaller than Lionel] and connect it to the power coming from the rollers. Have not tried that. Probably have to make your own bracket. Several of us have opened up the regular smoke unit and installed pink insulation [yes, like in your house] as well as removed the "sock" from the element. Seems to help a lot. Running in conventional, add some weight to the cars to cause you to use more voltage to run the train at normal speeds. Some have installed TMCC by using Electric Railroad kits. Then you can apply 18V by taping the pickup rollers.
While I can't help you directly, I can suggest that you use the search option on this forum to search for improving smoke output. I think I remember this subject being discussed on this forum before.
I too, have a Polar Express and think the smoke output is a little light. It just has not bothered me enough to look into improving it.
There is lots of knowledge on this forum. I'm sure somebody will point you in the right direction.
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