11
2-8-8-2 STEAM ENGINE
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.
W ith 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 figure 4) W e 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 5) 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 10-15 drops of smoke fluid
or turn the smoke unit off.
When storing the unit foe extended 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
non-absorbent around the heating element. Remove
the smoke unit inspection cover from the smoke
unit’s body.
(see figure 6) After removing the chassis
and inspection cover screws, lift the inspection plate away and inspect the wick. If it is
darkly discolored and hard, it should be replaced. You can obtain replacement wicks and
instructions from the M.T.H.
Pa
rts Department.
PROTO-SMOKE
®
UNIT OPERATION
Figure 6 - Smoke Unit Inspection Cover
Figure 4 - Add Smoke Fluid
RAILKING M.T.H. ELECTRIC TRAINS
by
Figure 5 - Smoke Switch
Add Smoke Fluid
Smoke Switch
Smoke Unit Screws
