Lionel Pennsylvania Flyer 4-4-2 Puffer Smoke Unit and Alternatives

I have installed a small fan driven smoke unit in a 4-4-2, I used the small MTH single element smoke unit for the task.  Obviously, you have to make a custom mount and also add a chuff switch since you're removing the factory levers to make room for the smoke unit.  It requires some surgery, but it can be done.

 

I'd forget about the Seuthe unit, they are anemic smokers, and of course they will not have puffing smoke either.

 

John

Thanks. Good to know this can be done. I don't care about the puffing - a steady steam of smoke is fine with me when power is on.

Have you run into the binding with Lionel  puffer units?

At times, but you really need to open it up and manually turn the motor to check where the binding is.  Drive rods are a very common cause as well.

 

Continuous smoke is easy, just wire up the proper power.  For the little MTH smoke unit, you'll need to change the resistor, and you need power for the motor.  I used a small DC supply to run the motor and the resistor was from track power with a 27 ohm stock Lionel resistor.

 

 

SJC, try turning the loco upside down, and under a bright light, try manually turning the drive wheels and watch the extended rod piece that pushes the lever of the smoke unit and see how well it comes into contact. Sometimes it could be a little plastic flash on the smoke unit lever, or a simple bend on that extended drive rod piece that pushes the smoke unit lever.

 

The 0-8-0's have indeed had some problems, but that is a totally different design for the smoke unit, and you do have to take the engine apart. You shouldn't have to take the 4-4-2 apart unless by chance, when you replaced the smoke unit, you didn't get it placed inside the loco properly.

 

Also, I really like the Premiere Lionel Smoke Fluid in these types of locos. A big improvement in smoke output as compared to the regular fluid.