Need help, Lionel HALLOWEEN DOCKSIDER ???

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I need to service the smoke unit. I can’t figure out how to remove the body to get to it?

Thanks for any help!

Al

2

If memory serves me correctly there are 4 screws, 2 under the front and 2 under the cab. With these removed the shell should lift off. When you re-install be very careful of the boiler supports, they can be a royal pain to align.

3

Thanks for the info! Got it apart. Discovered that the resistor was burnt and bad.

Any idea on what value and size to buy?

Thanks again!

4

Call Lionel Service… they will ship the part you need.

http://www.lionel.com/CustomerService/Findex.cfm

Or contact your local service center… although they may require you to bring the engine in for service.

5

Al,

The only problem I have had with the smoke unit on my Docksiders is that cheap ### plastic flapper valve they used on the piston head to push out the smoke. It will curl after it gets warm and there goes any smoke output. I know it wouldn’t have been as cheap but why not use SS sheet stock ? [B)]

6

Hi Doug,

I have the smoke unit apart. I think this is the flap you are talking about.

What did you mean ? " Use SS sheet stock" ?

Stainless Steel ??

Thanks, Al

7

That be it. That one appears to be nice and flat, your resistor must have fried prior to the unit getting to hot.

If it were possible to make that out of the same material as is used in a feeler gauge, assume stainless, say .001 or .0015 . Should be as flexible as the plastic one but not curl up around the edge losing it’s puffing action.

8

I had the resistor burn up on my reading docksider. I ordered new one from Lionel. Took about 3 weeks to get. In fact I ordered 5. I found the the smoke unit lacked the insulation material under the resistor and was pushed to one side. Not even under the resistor. It would only smoke for short periods. I repostioned the material and now it smokes longer but it really needs more material.

The extra resistors came in handie as I bought a Hudson Jr and the resistor was burned out on that. Only difference of 7 ohms and seems to work fine.

9

A while ago there was a thread about using pink (wall/attic) insulation under the heater elements in the PW smoke units. Just keep the hole clear for the airway.

Kurt