This locomotive contains a smoke unit that outputs smoke through the smokestack on
the boiler 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. With a few easy
maintenance steps, you should enjoy trouble-free smoke unit operation for years.
When preparing to run this engine, add 10 drops of
smoke fluid through the smokestack (see figure ). We
recommend M.T.H. ProtoSmoke, Seuth, LGB, or LVTS
fluids (a small pipette of ProtoSmoke fluid is included).
Do not over fill 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 tender body.
(see figure ) Failure to either add fluid to the unit or to
turn it off may damage the smoke unit heating
element and/or wicking material.
When the smoke output while running begins to
diminish, add another 10 drops of smoke fluid or turn
the smoke unit off.
When storing the unit for extended periods of time,
you may want to add about 10 drops of fluid to
prevent the wick from drying out.
After removing the engine from storage, add another
10 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 turned on and has fluid, check the wick
to see if it has become hard, blackened, and non-
absorbent around the heating element.
To gain access to the smoke unit, follow the
instructions on page 13 for removing the smoke unit
in the process of changing the headlight bulb. Then remove the two screws that
attached the inspection cover. See fig 9. Then remove the inspection cove and inspect
the wick. If the wick is darkened and hardened it should be replaced. You can obtain
replacement wicks from the M.T.H. Parts Department.
Premier Climax Steam Locomotive
12
Proto-Smoke Unit Operation
Add Smoke Fluid
Smoke Inspection Cover Screws
On/Off Smoke Switch
Figure 7: Add Smoke Fluid
Figure 8: Smoke Switch
Figure 9: Smoke Unit Inspection Cover
