Hi guys....just thought I would chime in with something that will help in smoke output on the new smoking caboose. First of all, I was not happy, as most, with the volume (or lack) of smoke. Lionel has often introduced some very nice material but I often wonder if they test their products relative to marketing and customer satisfaction. The lack of smoke in the caboose is so poor that it does need a remedy and I am not sure Lionel will fix the issue. I took apart the caboose. The two screws in the end doors need to be removed. Carefully bend the end rails slightly forward so the break wheels will clear the both body ends and lift the body carefully up. The stack will follow but remember to protect the roof area around the stack with tape as the top may mar the roof top finish. The caboose roof will be leverage to help remove the stack.
Inside is a voltage regulator that puts out less the 2 volts to a Lionel smoke element inside the top chamber regardless of track voltage. I removed the two screws and the top half of the smoke unit. I then removed the Lionel smoke element and replaced with a new AF smoke element. Use all he windings in the AF unit as they come wrapped around the wick and cut the floss so that only about an inch remains from the end of each element winding so there is enough room in the lower half of the smoke basin. The leads from the AF unit come out from where the leads from the Lionel unit were. I wired the unit direct to the switch and forgot the voltage regulator. When assembling the top cover back place a spacer washer between the two halves...where the screws are. This will help the unit "breathe"... i needs input air not just from the stack to gain smoke volume. Assemble all back together and you find a dramatic increase in the smoke output!!! Just the way Lionel should have made it. Just remember to keep the wick wet or turn your switch off when not using. Remember, you just voided your warranty but you have a great, working, smoke caboose. I have tested my caboose at 12 volts for 4 hours total without issue. Even with the change it is still difficult to see the volume increase in a running train with conventional operation but with TMCC or voltage set at 15 volts and slower running the effect is nice. Blessings and the best.....
