Just purchased a 1999 K-Line caboose with smoke unit. The car has never been run before. Anyone have any experience (good or bad) with these type of cab’s smoke units… overheating, smoke fluid leakage, etc.? Thanks.
Which one?
K612-1891 “PRR Scale CLASSIC Bay Window Caboose w. Smoke Unit” .
Some were made for conventional and some command. I have two that work OK with 18V. Got one that pours out the smoke with 18V so I don’t use it except when running conventional. Bet somone on here can tell us how to tell which is which.
I have a kline wooden side caboose with smoke unit and there is a switch on the bottom that says conv/command. You need to make sure this switch is on the correct position for the way you are running. Make sure if there is no smoke fluid in it that you shut the unit off because these have a tendency to melt the roof around the stack from overheating.
They are nice models and the smoke unit is cool but I find myself running it more without the smoke unit on because if the train is moving it is hard to even tell smoke is coming out of it. They work better running very slow.
This cab has a switch underneath, that is just labeled “On/Off”. The direction sheet warns to make sure the switch is in the “Off” position when operating w/o smoke fluid. I guess I’ll leave it turned “Off” & operate w/o the smoke rather than risk a meltdown because I really like the car. Too bad though because I was looking forward to the smoke action. Thanks for the comments.
If you like the smoke just make sure you keep it filled, or else shut it off while not using smoke and I think everything will be fine. But I guarantee that to avoid the trouble of picking the caboose off of the tracks to shut the unit off you will leave it off most the time.[;)]
If you want to modify it to run conventional and command, John F has the “formula” for making it work. Have to add a swtich and some electridal parts. I’ll email him and ask for his comments.
Thanks for the offer, but no need as I only run in conventional mode.