Berkshire on Polar express

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

Hi,

I recently purchased a used Polar Express set, really cheap. Everything is fine, but there is acouple of pbms:

1-There is no manual

2-The smoke does not seem to work.

Is there anything special I have to do to make the smoke work? I put 8 drops of the smoke fluid on it and it still does not smoke. Since I don’t have the manual, I’m at a loss.

Thanks!

Cacau

2

Manual and its addendum can be downlaoded from the Lionel web site. Select Customer Service from the main page and then “Owners Manuals”. Type in “Polar Express” (no quotes) in the search field.

3

PBMS??

4

There is a switch inside the cab, make shure the smoke unit switch is in the on position. These engines usually don’t smoke very well just to tell you.

5

I can remember some other people talking about this. they had problems with the switch and replaced it or removed it. I have the same set and the one i have dosnt smoke that well.

6

Thanks for the help guys, I had missed the switch! Later one I will give it a try.

(pbms=Problems)

Cacau

7

I go with the others,they seem to smoke good when new and then fade away. Do not use so much fluid it my be too full and that would keep it from getting hot enough to smoke.

8

I checked if the switch was on, and it wasn’t. Still , it won’t smoke at all, not one puff. How would i know if it is too full?

9

Two ways let it sit in netural at about 16 volts for awhile or the way I do it is.Hold the engine off the track just high enough for it to still run, Then let it run fast as possible while holding it, till it starts blowing smoke again. Remember just let the wheels touch the track enough to run.

10

Turn it upside down on some absorbent toweling, paper or whatever, and let it sit overnite to drain out any excess fluid. If you feel comfortable doing it you could always repack the smoke unit with the pink fiberglass insulation if it is available.

11

OK.s

Tried all your suggestions,and the ones about running 16V on idle and running at full speed while lifting it a bit , both worked , and very well.

However, once I run it, it apparently stops. Any ideas?

Cacau

12

Correction:

I tried everything except the pink-insulating thing; Could you please expand on that?

Thanks!

Cacau

13

Here’s a CTT forum thread from about a year ago on some great advice on how to re-pack the PE smoke unit.

PE Smoke Unit re-pack thread

14

because typing out those four extra letters is really hard…

Scot

15

Here’s another to take a look at:

http://cs.trains.com/forums/1288748/ShowPost.aspx

Disregard, SotaPop already posted it. [:I]

16

You now know it works, so don’t add fluid until you know for sure that it needs it. The next thing is easier with a freight train. Add more cars so the engine requires more voltage to pull the train. Higher voltage, hotter smoke unit=more smoke.