Lionel 1666: Can Smoke Be Added?

I think he knows it has no smoke John.

You'd probably want a voltage regulator with a Seuthe smoke unit to provide it the proper voltage.  They tend to die quickly with over voltage.  Many folks end up with the 6V ones from brass locomotive updates, so that would be a good choice, you might be able to score the little regulator board that goes with them as well.  I believe I have several of those units from that source.

Mitch,

Leave her like she is. That engine could be  70 old! Remember, the trains we are sinking the big bucks into today will probably not be around to see their 70th birthday. Your 1666 will be around as long as there are folks who enjoy old toy trains.

I bought my 1666 for $5 back in 1969 form a old gentleman who ran a Lionel repair station out of his garage.  

Sometimes I really miss those simpler times back when I got back into trains.

Richard

Why does everyone think these are like the gold at Fort Knox?  Since it's his locomotive, dropping a Seuthe smoke unit down the stack and hooking it up for smoke would seem to be his choice.  He wants smoke, and it's pretty simple to add it.  The engine will still run the same as it did before, and probably just as long.

Only issue I see with the Seuthe approach is that unlike a postwar type unit, it can't "run dry" and will burn out if you don't keep it filled; unless you wire in an on/off switch.

 my only thoughts are on the Seuthe unit itself. The one Williams engine I had, the smoke unit either smoked not much or slobbered all over the boiler. I'd try a regular Postwar type myself. Might have to look into this.

It's certainly true that you'll probably need a switch to disable the Seuthe unit, they will indeed self-destruct.  I'm not much of a fan of the Seuthe smoke units, but if you use the right fluid, they do smoke decently and don't spit as much.

You'll never mistake them for a fan driven smoke unit, that's for sure!

I agree with Steamer on this one.

There probably is enough room to install a postwar smoke unit,like the one in a #2026.

This way it will at least have some 'CHUFF' to it,but like gunrunner said,You'll never mistake it for a fan driven one.

But I do think the type used in #2026 would fit in there.

You probably will have to drill a hole to mount it,but I believe there is enough space up there to fit the whole #2026 smoke assembly in.

And it's a pretty low tech,low cost solution.Buy a beater #2026 that has a functioning smoke unit,and start the transplant.

And yes,those #1666E's are smooth runners,thanks for the idea.I think I will try this in my #1666 !!!!

Only problem is, I'd get the 2026, it'd be sitting there forlornly and me, being the old softie I am, would just wind up restoring IT!   

Just as well to pop a Seuthe in there and add an on/off switch.  Which model number Seuthe would I use for this? 

Mitch

I liked that - gave me a little chuckle. (I know, I have added nothing to this conversation.)

LOVE the 1666's whistle, though - like to lean on the button to make it howl.

You can always buy a postwar smoke unit assembly by itself as opposed to buying a basket case engine to pull it from.

You probably could fit a smoke unit from a nickel rimmed 2026 (never tried it), but what are you going to do for a puff? On the 2026 the puff mechanism is built into the motor, operated by a cam on the back of one of the wheels.

Had me chuckling too.  Good one, Steamer!  My one and only Williams with sleuth ( PW turbine type ) upchucked on it's maiden voyage.  Probably better to just dribble some fluid directly onto a hot headlight bulb if you're expecting smoke from a Williams.

Mitch: Keep us informed if you are successful at adapting something for the 1666.  I have both the 1666 and it's prewar brother, the 224 that could benefit from having smoke.

Bruce

C.W.

Good observation. I have been following this conversation and I was about to ask the same question regarding the puffer. I guess there is a way to do it but I think major surgery would be required.

Mitch, I meant to ask you earlier, does your 1666 have slider shoe pick ups or roller pick up? My 16666 has slider shoe pick ups which are a real pain to re install when the come off.

Richard

Funny you should mention that!  Just had a slider shoe fall off my 1666 this morning.  Lemme throw together a quick tutorial:

1) The underside of the locomotive.  Under the fiber insert, there's a flat spring that holds the shoes in place.

2) With a thin screwdriver, poke down through the lubricating cutout and push down on the spring.

3) Slide the shoe into place and release the spring.  Voila!  Shoe returned to the bosom of its family.

Do the steps in reverse to remove the shoes for replacement.  Which reminds me, I'd best order a few from Jeff at Train Tender...

Mitch

dangit! I knew I was forgetting something with my last parts order...2026 needs a set. the slide shoes are easy to replace. I just slip the small screwdriver in under the shoe and out it comes. you'll hear/feel a click when the shoes clips into place.

 Isn't there a "new one" that might fit. Seems a small electric might be an easier route if one fits without much modification.

 Unless the 1666 shell and valve gear set is identical to another smoking unit??? Getting the piston to puff is the real trick. 

But a PW element in a shaved/ vented pot, might beat a Seuthe when the breeze is right. And wouldn't fry when dry.    

Hey Guys,I could be wrong about this,and I probably am,but wasn't the #2026 Lionel's postwar answer to the #1666???

It is still classified as a 'prairie"type boiler,and is the next in line according to Greenburg's geneology of Lionel Steam engines,in Volume 2 Behind The Scenes Reference Book.

What I am saying I guess,is the #1666 eventually became a #2026!!They share the same boiler shell,if you have a postwar #1666.There are 3 or 4 variations on the shell over the years.  

And when I said to use a postwar smoke unit,I meant the kind that mount directly to the motor housing,which you would have to drill a hole in the #1666 motor housing to mount it,but also would require some modification to the steam chest and boiler to be able to fit the plunger that is pushed by the drive rods to create the postwar chuff.

Ay yi yi !!!!  

Maybe you are better off just to put the Sueth smoke unit in.

I am still gonna try a frankenstein postwar experiment on my #1666,to see if it works!!!! Thanks for the idea!!!!

quote:

Hey Guys,I could be wrong about this,and I probably am,but wasn't the #2026 Lionel's postwar answer to the #1666???

That's what the locomotive evolution chart indicates in the Lionel Service Manual.