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A newbie here. I recently purchased a used MTH Rail King Hudson. The version I have is listed in the vol. 2 of the MTH's '99 catalog and is the #5412 NYC with Proto-Sound. The engine runs well and the Proto-Sound features seem to function as advertised. The only problem I can see with the engine, is that it only smokes when stopped (in neutral or reset). The fan is working, because it puts out a steady stream of smoke. But when the engine is in motion, the smoke stops. I've searched the forums and found a lot of posts concerning MTH smoke troubles, but have not seen my particular problem. Anyone had a similar problem? Thanks for any suggestions.

Mike Adams 

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Mike, Actually there are not a lot of MTH smoke problems.  Simple design.  Does your engine make chuff sounds and have speed control.  Do you operate conventional or Command?

 

If the tach reader isn't working the classic symptom is smoke in neutral only.  But you would also not have chuff sounds and no speed control.   G

I'm using Model Power No. 12 smoke. (only brand available at the local hobby shop).

 

Yes, the engine makes chuff sounds and has speed control. (This is my first engine with sound and I'm very pleased. Proto 3 must really be impressive.)

 

I took the boiler off and opened the smoke unit to check the wick. It was a little charred in one spot, but I rearranged it and as I stated previously, it puts out a strong, steady stream - as long as it's standing still.

 

Thanks for the replies, guys. I'll order some MTH smoke to see if that makes a difference.

Mike, the smoke fan might be loose on the motor shaft, two screws holds the fan motor housing to the smoke unit, take a needle nose pliers and gently pull on the fan. If it comes off easily, that might be your problem. Since PS2 locos stopand start the motor to pulse the smoke to match the chuff, they are under a bit of stress. If you need a fan, I have them. LMK.

Yes, I just caught that.  Ok, this is conventional and does not have speed control.  Speed is controlled by the throttle.  The smoke output responds to track voltage.  Normally PS-1 engines can run at low voltage settings so the smoke unit doesn't get as much voltage.   In neutral are you raising track voltage?

 

I would try changing wick and run it to see if that improves it.  Normally a PS-1 can put out good smoke.   G

Thanks guy. I'm new to all this and when asked about 'speed control', I assumed this was referring to the engine. But, now I understand it referred to the smoke unit. I have the original Proto Sound, so it does not have speed control.

 

I'll try changing the wick. From reading other posts and forums, it seems like s Tiki torch wick works well as a replacement.

 

 

The original ProtoSound 1 didn't have puffing smoke, it just puts out smoke all the time.  Also, the smoke unit is powered from the track voltage, so there should be no change when the locomotive is moving.  I'd look for wiring issues between the smoke unit and the track feeds.




If the engine is stopped,  after a few seconds, it puts out a steady vertical stream of smoke. The would indicate, to me, that the fan is working. At least, while the engine is stopped.  Once the engine starts moving, the smoke dies out.

 

Maybe a wiring connection that opens when the engine moves, but closes when stopped? I'll try this route. 

Last edited by mikeadams2k

If you turn down the audio volume you should be able to hear the constant whirring sound of the smoke fan motor.  Does the whirring stop when the engine starts moving?  This would at least tell you if power is getting to the smoke unit when the engine is moving.

 

Did you get to GGG's question about if/how track voltage affects smoke?  That is, for the SAME track voltage in neutral or in motion, is the smoke behavior the same?  You might try two track voltages in both neutral and in motion, a low one that just creeps the engine, and a high one that really moves the engine.

Did you get to GGG's question about if/how track voltage affects smoke?  That is, for the SAME track voltage in neutral or in motion, is the smoke behavior the same?  You might try two track voltages in both neutral and in motion, a low one that just creeps the engine, and a high one that really moves the engine.

Thanks. I'll try to see if I can hear the fan and try running at high and low voltages.

Here's the Parts Breakdown for that set, as I mentioned, the smoke unit is connected directly to the track power.  So, the only logical failure items are the wiring to the smoke unit or the actual smoke unit.

Thanks. I'd managed to find the owner's manual and parts list on MTH's site. I'll do some more testing and I'll let you know if I'm able to come up with anything.

 

Thank you so much for all your suggestions.

 

 

 

 

All is well now. My engine is now smoking while underway.

 

I changed the wick (using the tiki torch wick) and this made the difference. 

 

Also, I found that it smokes more while pulling the 5 passenger cars since it requires more power to pull them.

 

Thanks again for taking the time to help a newbie out. (an old newbie that is.) 

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