ProtoSmoke® Unit Operation
This steam 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 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 15-20 drops of smoke fluid
through the smokestack (see Fig. 5).
We recommend M.T.H. ProtoSmoke,
Seuthe, LGB, or LVTS fluids (a small
pipette of ProtoSmoke fluid is included).
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
engine body (see Fig. 6). Failure
either to 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 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.
Figure 5. Adding Smoke Fluid to the Engine
Figure 6. Smoke Unit ON/OFF Swtich
RailKing 0-4-0 Dockside Steam Engine
