17
RailKing N&W J Steam Engine
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 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 15-20 drops of smoke fluid through
the smokestack (see figure 4 on pg. 4). 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 body (see
figure 5 on pg. 5). 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.
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. Remove the smoke
unit inspection cover from the smoke
unit’s body (see Fig. 11 ). 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.
Smoke Unit
Cover Screws
Figure 11. Inspection Cover Screws
