Adding smoke units to MTH engines

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

OK, didn’t see any responses to this on the Pot.

I recently purchased the MTH Chessie F-3 A-A and F-3 B Units. The A-A Units are PS2 with electro couplers, but no smoke. I can’t complain as I was able to pick up all 3 units for less than list on the A-A units. But I would love to add smoke to these beauts!

Does anyone know if it is possible?

Thanks,
Brent

2

YES it is. Thought I answered this but may not have. I did a MTH diesel dummy. Plan on adding one to my A unit with the ABA MTH Santa Fe. I used a bridge rectifier to reduce the voltage to the unit to keep it from burning out. I got pickups from MTH. They will send them with wires, insulators and etc. Real nice lady helped me with my parts list. Just told her what I wanted to do. She went to the repair staff and got the list.

After testing, used only three.

Used ACE closed cell insulation tape [like used for sealing pickup topper shells] as gasket.

Used ACE L bracket like used top reinforce wood work. Elongated the holes to make it adjustable up and down to get right fit to shell. You will notice I installed lights too. Smoke unit and lights are on separate off/on mini switches [holes already in shell].

3

Chief,
You probably did responde and it got lost in the quagmire of posts! It really should have been out here anyway!

Thanks for the response. I’ll give them a call today…

When I was looking at the shell it did not appear that the fan units were open… if they aren’t should I just drill out the entire fan unit, or try and dremel out the slots? if I drill out the entire fan unit, is there someplace I can get replacements to make them look original?

As for installing lights… do F-3 B Units have lights? If so where?

Brent

4

My MTH dummy A unit has the holes in the smoke stacks. The B does not. If I “smoke” the B, I was going to drill out the stacks. BTW: you may want to get the filler “pipes” that goes to the top of the smoke unit. The one I did above went right to the hole in the shell and fit jsut right. Since two smoke stacks [exhaust pipes] on each unit, the filler “pipes” will do better.