18 Premier Big Boy Steam Locomotive
ProtoSmoke® Unit Operation
This Premier steam locomotive contains a self-powered smoke unit that outputs smoke
through the smokestack on the roof of the engine. The smoke unit is essentially a small
heating element and wick that soaks up and then heats a mineral oil-based fluid that emits
a harmless smoke. The smoke is then forced
out of the stack by a small electric fan.
Smoke volume is controlled by the
Proto-Sound 2.0 system.
With a few easy maintenance steps, you
should enjoy trouble-free smoke unit
operation for years.
When preparing to run this engine, add 15-20
drops of smoke fluid through the smokestack
(see Fig. 12). We recommend M.T.H.
ProtoSmoke, Seuthe, LGB, or LVTS fluids.
Do not overfill the unit or the fluid may leak
out and coat the interior engine components.
If you choose not to add the fluid (or have
already added the fluid but choose to run
smoke-free), turn off the smoke unit switch
located under the water hatch on the tender
(see Fig. 13).
Failure either to add fluid to
the unit or to turn it off may damage the
smoke unit heating element and/or wick
material.
When the smoke output while running the
engine begins to diminish, add another 10-15
drops of smoke fluid or turn the smoke unit
off.
When storing the unit for long periods of time, you may want to add about 15 drops of
fluid to prevent the wick from drying out.
After removing the engine from storage, add another 25 drops of fluid, letting the wick
soak up the fluid for 15 minutes prior to operation.
If you experience poor or no smoke output when the smoke unit is on and has fluid,
check the wick to see if it has become hard, blackened, and unabsorbent around the
heating element. To remove the smoke unit you will first have to remove the boiler shell
Add Smoke Fluid
Figure 12
Smoke Unit
ON/OFF Switch
Figure 13
