@Steam Crazy posted:Bill, I'm not familiar with the Lionel tether you describe, but I solved problems with loose MTH "wireless" PS2-3 tethers with a black twist tie. After a bit of experimentation you can figure out how to secure the tether at the tender end. This fix, of course, requires you to take off the engine and tender as a unit until it's necessary to separate them.
Also Bill, I agree there is nothing scientific about how well engines smoke! Some of mine smoke well 10 minutes, others 20 minutes, on the same amount of fluid. There are probably a number of variables that affect smoke production, including the temperature of the heating element, fluid retained by the wick and airflow through the smoke unit. I can't explain it, you just have to get used to the idiosyncrasies of each engine!
John
The tether on the b6 is just the pin style I believe. It's flat. Runs from the tender to just under the cab.
Yeah It seems like there are a lot of variables involved but I do wonder how much I affect it. I usually turn the smoke down on long runs compared to yard work so that probably adds another layer of complexity to the equation. I have overfilled locomotives before and it sure is messy!