Smoke Unit Cover
Wick in
Poor
Condition
Wick in
Good
Condition
Sounds
In this mode, sounds are pretty much automatic.
If you’re moving, you’ll hear chuffing sounds. If
you increase or decrease the throttle quickly,
you’ll hear labored or drift chuffing, respectively.
Of course, if the engine has been sitting for a
while, the engineer may open the steam cocks
and release the moisture, don't worry, he never
forgets to close them.
When your sitting at idle, there may be some
maintenance done. You could hear someone
dopping the siderods or checking the water level
in the tender and filling it if necessary. Don't
worry, all of this and more is just a normal part of everyday operations.
When you’re moving at a pretty good clip and you reduce the throttle quickly, you may
hear the brakes squeak and squeal as the engineer applies them. Of course, they'll stop
when the engine does.
If things get too noisy, just
locate the sound volume pot under the hatch on top of
the tender
and adjust the volume from maximum down to off, whatever suits you.
Turn it counterclockwise to reduce the volume or clockwise to increase it.
Smoke
There is also a potentiometer for smoke control (exactly like volume control). To
increase or decrease smoke volume, simply use a Phillips head screwdriver to turn the
potentiometer clockwise (increase output) or counterclockwise (decrease output).
When you turn the smoke on, just give it a few seconds to warm up. It doesn't start
instantly. Once you see smoke gently streaming out (or not if you prefer) snap the hatch
back in place and away you go. Once on, like the sounds, the behavior is fully automatic.
The model will puff out smoke in exact synchronization with the chuffing sounds and
driver rotation at 4 per revolution. Amazing!
When the output begins to diminish significantly, add 10-12 drops to recharge the unit.
Again, give it a few seconds to warm back up. The cool fluid slows the action for a few
seconds. Also, watch out for bubbles that may block the stack. You may need to gently
blow down the stack to clear it.
Running the engine without
a primed smoke unit may
cause damage
Smokestack
Smoke Switch
Volume Control
M.T.H. HO 4-8-4 GS-4 Steam Engine
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