Postwar Lionel Locomotive/Too Many Smoke Drops

What I have done with old PW steamers that have gunked-up smoke units is :  put it in neutral and turn the power up all the way, and occasionally gently blow down the stack once the element starts to glow red. It's easier than taking the thing apart, and unless the nichrome wire is burnt out, it'll burn off all the old residue. Hope this helps.

Just running it normally should bring back the smoke after some time.

Technique I used to use: Hold locomotive slightly up off the rails, so wheels can turn. Turn up power full speed. Hold in that position. Heat and high speed pumping seemed to do the trick when a unit got clogged.

What Bill said works for me too.

That's always worked for me.

What Bill said. Hold it just off the rails and let er rip.  Fluid in a pellet smoker works fine but as you have found out too many not so good. I usually go with about 4 drops.

If the above suggestions yield no results, it may be time to get the ohm meter out and check the heater. A burned out heater is an easy fix, if that ends up being the problem.

Wow..that lift-slightly-off-the-track trick really works; it was smoking within seconds at full throttle. I was having visions of the locomotive flying out of my hands and across the living room. When I put it back on the track and ran it normally, it stopped smoking again. I guess I either have to run it longer, or lift up the wheels again. Either way, I'm hesitant to add drops for a while. At least I know that the smoking unit still works. Thanks to all for the advice.

Just run it, the smoke will be back.