I repacked my smoke unit in my 2055.

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I was running my 2055 and noticed that it stopped smoking. I took the smoke unit apart and found that the element had burned in two in one place again. I also noticed that the old wicking had been char-broiled and it was hard and blackened, so to speak. I used the yellow household insulation material and I repacked it extremely tight and also fixed the smoke unit again. I had to unwrap another turn of wire to fix that part so now it burns even hotter now. I can put 20 drops and it will not even phase the smoke unit. I don’t know how long it will last now, but man it REALLY smokes up a storm and makes my MTH train look pathetic by comparison now. Anyone care to predict how long it will last?[(-D] I would say about one week.

2

Well, the smoke unit burned out. Oh well, have to get a new one, if I can find one. I guess what I did with it was pretty stupid.

3

A while back, I posted this:

“Gas-log fireplace sets come with vermiculite and rock wool, which glow to produce the illusion of embers. I wonder whether rock wool wouldn’t be a more durable wick material than fiberglass, since it is literally made from rock blown into fibers at very high temperatures.”

I got this response from Buckeye Riveter:

“Bob…I find your suggestion to use rock wool very intriguing since this last year I have repaired or replaced several smoke units in both steam and diesel. My only concern is its wicking properties. Would it be able to wick the liquid upward towards the heating element in sufficient quantities especially when the reservoir is less than say half full? My results using the pink insulation have been outstanding, but I might try the rock wool the next time I need to repack.”

I also found a comment in Wikipedia that, “Mineral wool is used for its ability to hold large quantities of water…”

I haven’t heard anything since.

By the way, the pink color is simply a trademark of Owens-Corning. Their fiberglass would be yellow too if they didn’t dye it pink.

4

Pink or Yellow, they work great. Bob N might have something there. Also some guy uses Tiky Lantern wicks. Enjoy.

5

Without taking off the boiler of one of my postwar steamers, can someone answer how many turns of wire are there on a 2055 pellet type smoke unit to start with? I’ve read threads in this Forum that suggest just what Berk did to elevate the heat of the element and increase the smoke. How many turns can be safely removed before element meltdown?

Thanks,

Jack

6

I am thinking about using the Tiky Lantern wicks. The fiberglass insulation is messy.