If it is within the 12 mo warranty period, call Lionel, get them to authorize service at their Concord, NC facility, and ship it off. They should check smoke unit and circuit board, and get it operating well. Not all of their techs are equal. I have had some items returned with same issue still present, thus requiring sending it in again. But all of my returned items (at least 15) have ultimately achieved full functionality, including updated parts to replace original manufacturer equipment that they have learned does not work well.
My mantra is that I love their many of their locomotives and their control system, but you must accept that most items will require a trip for warranty service, so run the locos hard in that first 12 months to expose problems.
