I'm asking for my father-in-law...the smoke just kind of sits in the stack but doesn't "puff." I tried looking up the parts and it looks like there is not a fan on the unit. I've blown down the stack and he has run it for good while to make sure it wasn't overfilled, but it just still seems to hang in the stack. This one does not have Bluetooth.
Any thoughts?
Thanks!
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Most likely the piston is stuck due to overfilling. Clean the piston and you should be back in business!
Train Nut posted:Most likely the piston is stuck due to overfilling. Clean the piston and you should be back in business!
Is there a liquid one can use via the stack? I think MegaSteam has a cleaner or is there something else. I will be faced with the same issue when I run my PE Lionchief loco that has been sitting in its box for 4 years.
The best way would be to pop the shell off and disassemble the smoke unit/piston assembly for cleaning with a rag. If you use a cleaner without disassembling it, you're going to have to overfill it again and run the risk of the liquid getting onto the electronic components of the locomotive.
Thanks, everyone!
SantaFe158 posted:The best way would be to pop the shell off and disassemble the smoke unit/piston assembly for cleaning with a rag. If you use a cleaner without disassembling it, you're going to have to overfill it again and run the risk of the liquid getting onto the electronic components of the locomotive.
I agree, except: I had the same issue with my late-90s era 2-8-0; I removed the shell, and was able to get things right again by shooting contact cleaner up into the piston assembly and working that piston a bit by running a toothpick down through the smoke "bowl" opening. Also used a Q-tip to wick up any access fluid and/or cleaner, so at least in my case a complete tear-down was not needed; guess I got lucky. Has worked fine ever since.
Mark in Oregon
Not all contact cleaner is compatible with plastic. And even if it says it is, I'm leery about using it on plastic. IMO better to just wipe it off with Q-tips or a rag.
Don't do what I did a couple of years ago and use brake cleaner. The bottom half of the smoke unit is plastic and the cleaner will expand the plastic. The clearance between the piston and smoke unit wall will increase causing a smoke unit to become anemic. I get a little smoke coming out the stack and I now get smoke out the bottom near the steam chest. I now have to replace my smoke unit. I know this isn't your problem, but its a warning about using a cleaning agent that's more friendly for the plastic.
Dis-assemble the smoke unit and use hot soapy water to clean everything. Replace the wicking and you should be good to go.
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