I know that the smoking units in ho engines are frowned upon in the model railroad universe, but I need a little help
Some of my MTH ho steamers have had there smoke capacity reduced by burned out wicks. MTH will not work on any engines out of warranty and asks you to find a authorized service dealer. I did find one. A fine hobbyshop that mostly deals in O gauge. Still he was happy to replace the wicks for me. When fixed, the units did not smoke as good as they should. Even when adjusting the volume of smoke, the performance was still below par. The repairman, not really knowing how good an HO engine could smoke, even thought the unit was under performing. He is going to try a couple other ways to enhance the smoke performance. Tweaks if you will. But before he starts experimenting, is there any one out there that has replaced the wicks on MTH HO steamers and has had excellent results? As good as when they were new? If so I would love to forward your skills to the repairman at the hobbyshop.
I would be very grateful Thank You
PS The repairman spoke of a new improved wick for MTH, but they are on back order. He is also going to attend a big fair in York Pa next week were he is going to ask around about making the unit smoke better. But your input would be very helpful also.
I’m a little shocked that I have not received any replies to this thread. I frequent these forums enough to see that sometimes everyone likes to put their two cents worth in any and every little subject that arises.
But no takers on this one huh? The experts don’t want to touch this one
Maybe, it just goes to show that even the MTH fans here are not interested in smoke?
Or maybe none of the MTH owners here have had a smoke unit fail yet? After all MTH has not been the HO business very long.
And maybe there really are not that many MTH users/fans on here? I can only think of a hand full of people on here who have indicated that they actually own an MTH HO steam loco.
I read you post almost right away when it appeared, but I don’t own any MTH products at all, and don’t plan to buy any. They are too expensive and do not run correctly on DC - I run DC.
Still using my imagination for sound and smoke here on the ATLANTIC CENTRAL, since in my view neither in HO is of a quality to justify the cost.
By all reports the mechanical quality of MTH locos is very good, its a shame they don’t want the business of the majority of modelers - those still using DC.