Grandson had a Lionel train set under the tree from “Santa”. I have not had experience with Lionel since the 50’s and the “pill” units back then. I purchased K-Line smoke fluid (it’s the only bottle LHS had). Engine is a 4-4-2, don’t have the number handy. Engine does smoke, but just enough to say so, not like I recall with my old “pill” engines. We’ve run the engine full throttle and still no improvement. Will it get better as time goes on or are we doing something wrong here. Thanks Ken
May not. How much fluid did you put in. If flooded, will take a while to burn it down. If not enough, running dry. This can char the wicking. I usually put 5 to 6 drops at the time. As smoke starts to decrease, add more. Have to get the wicking wet enough so fluid touches the element. If it is real dry [due to long storage or new] may have to add more at first [think insturctions say 10 drops, I go 15]. Sounds like new type, I have found bad solder joints that make them not smoke until resoldered. New plastic ones are virtually unrepairable. If it is the old puffer type [which I doubt], be sure the piston is moving completely up and down. Check for air hole inside cylinder is open.
Thanks Chief. It is a new set we just bought for Christmas for the grandson. Initially we did put about 12 drops into it and it did smoke and puffed it out but you really had to look to see it. when it stopped doing that I added another seven drops and again it smoked and puffed but not much, even running it wide open for a spell. Also the engine has an LED yellow head light in it so I guess it must be pretty new and not old stock. I thought about trying to repack it with the insulation I think I read about here on this forum, but if it’s plastic I may not. Thanks again, Ken
If it is plastic, never found a way to get into them without destroying it. Others, easy to fix. Depending on the engine, easy to remove shell and check. The Pensy flier [the one I have], you have to stand on one foot, pat your head, rub your tummy, chew cheing gum and sing Dixie all at the same time to get shell back on. The drive rods and etc are a zoo. They fall apart when the shell is removed. Done it several times though. I recommend taking it back to dealer or Lionel repair shop for testing. Good luck.
If you pinch your tongue between your teeth on the left side, those engines go right back together[:P]
[(-D][(-D] Thanks guys. Ogauge, that only works north of the Mason-Dixon line!!! LOL , Ken
My dad’s Polar Express is the same way. It smokes, but not near the volume of the older ones.
Probabally has to do with keeping them from getting sued from people getting lung cancer and all that other BS.
Sounds like its probably the NYC Flier starter set (there may be more than one version, I’m familiar with the one with the CW80). These have a cast engine. The smoke element is most likely the new resistor type, instead of the wound wire, and use a piston for air movement. These are very dependent on voltage and speed. Some seem to smoke better than others.
It’s the Pennsy Flyer set. Transformer looks like a CW80 but I think it’s a power master??? Only has track post on it, no accessory posts. This set was sold by Hobby Lobby. No bridge in the set, but it had an extra 75th anniversary or some Lionel special box car in it. Ken
Plastic smoke unit. As said earlier, some do and smoe don’t. After resoldering wires, mine works great. Good luck