Whistle steam

Did you blow down the tiny whistle hole path to clear any droplets blocking the path? If you know much about Lionel smoke units, they are using smaller fan impellers and thus do not have a lot of static air pressure to be self clearing. Again, whistle steam in general has a tube or ducted path in most cases, and worse, some with a horizontal run extremely prone to exactly this type of liquid blockage.

Also, yours is one of "those" engines. Unfortunately, blindly following the manual without some understanding of the dual smoke unit style that shares a common cup or well for the smoke fluid- 20 drops is typically not enough on first fill new out of the box. Later, if the smoke unit was full, OK, 20 drops to be safe, but NOT on first fill.

So, most likely, in this case, the 20 drops didn't wick over to the other side of the smoke unit for the whistle steam. Add at least 20 more.

Again, what you have is a dual smoke unit that you fill the main stack, and then slowly, sometimes very slow, the liquid wicks from the primary main stack fiberglass batting, though the gap in the bottom of the aluminum divider, and then again, slowly wicks into the aux smoke (in your case whistle steam) side.

Again, 20 drops is about the right amount for one side at best, and you are filling for 2 sides of this cup from the main stack.

https://www.lionelsupport.com/...-LEGACY-610-1462-200

Edited showing component placement and smoke path for whistle steam.

Worth noting this other related topic

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...-whistle-steam-smoke

and this topic https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...ionel-consolidations

@Richie C. posted:

Just as an update, it seems that you just have to keep running the engine for a session very day or so for a few days with smoke on before the whistle steam kicks in and starts working and that is what happened here. I also used a can of compressed air with the thin straw a few times to clear any bubbles or blockages in the system. It seems like it also wants a good amount of smoke fluid and to let it soak in - maybe overnight - before the whistle steam gets "primed" and starts working properly.

I'm happy to report it works well now - difficult to see when the engine is moving (especially with all the smoke blowing backwards from the main stack), but at rest you can now see a good blast of smoke ("steam") coming out.

P.S. - Dave C - my Maine Central did come with a spacer block and screws in a small, clear plastic bag. I assume that's what they were for.

Thanks Vernon.I will add 20 drops and leave it soak overnight. Where is this space block installed,as I have one also.Another question.Can I use a regular straw and just try blowing air down the whistle chute?Thanks again for your help.

Don P.

@Don poitras posted:

Can I use a regular straw and just try blowing air down the whistle chute?Thanks again for your help.

Don P.

I have one of these to blow air into smoke units.  Anything similar will work.  It's what I had laying around.

Dust Blower Bulb

@MartyE posted:

I have one of these to blow air into smoke units.  Anything similar will work.  It's what I had laying around.

Dust Blower Bulb

Marty, that is probably the best thing to use instead of randomly blowing to hard or to soft. Whenever I do it, I try and be gentle. One of the things I do to help this is the use of a funnel when filling, and I also let it stand like that for about 15 minutes. After that a few gentle blows and then see what works and what doesn't. I've not had a problem yet, but it looks like that is a better idea to be had.

@MartyE posted:

I have one of these to blow air into smoke units.  Anything similar will work.  It's what I had laying around.

Dust Blower Bulb

That looks nice to have Marty. Thanks for sharing. I'll need to pick one of those up. I usually just blow gently down the stack.

I'm a little surprised that some people use compressed air. Seems that would be way too much pressure and chance making a mess inside the unit\fan or locomotive if the smoke unit isn't sealed up that great.

Brad

Thanks Vernon,I followed your instructions and it works  like a charm👍👍👏👏👏

Don

I picked up one of these engines brand new in box. Got a great deal. $480. Are there anymore tips on these newer consolidations? I've always been heavy on adding smoke fluid with new engines. I've always had great luck with 30 drops starting off and sometimes 40 drops over a day or so of soaking in. I have added probably 80 drops over a few days and still cannot get good whistle smoke. The stack smoke has been great from the beginning. I have finally added enough fluid over time to get a nice blast for a split second and then nothing. I have blown down both stacks and nothing helps. Just tapping on to an old topic to see if this is what it is or if someone has found a secret. My Camelback and Ten Wheeler have tons of whistle smoke.

Brad

My whistle steam is terribly weak. I've added plenty of fluid and have run it several times this week (See post above).

I think it's time to pull the shell and see what's going on if nobody has any other secrets to the weak whistle steam on these.

Can anyone tell me how to remove the shell? I cannot find any exploded parts views on it. Part number is 2231640. Special run from Nassau hobbies.

Maybe someone can explain how to search for Lionel parts for a specific locomotive. I am finding it impossible. I know it is a special run part number but I have searched model numbers from the same run and still no luck. I would like to see a diagram before I pull this thing apart.

Thank you for any help you can provide. Figured it was best to tap on to a related old topic than creating another one.

Brad

@B rad posted:

I picked up one of these engines brand new in box. Got a great deal. $480. Are there anymore tips on these newer consolidations? I've always been heavy on adding smoke fluid with new engines. I've always had great luck with 30 drops starting off and sometimes 40 drops over a day or so of soaking in. I have added probably 80 drops over a few days and still cannot get good whistle smoke. The stack smoke has been great from the beginning. I have finally added enough fluid over time to get a nice blast for a split second and then nothing. I have blown down both stacks and nothing helps. Just tapping on to an old topic to see if this is what it is or if someone has found a secret. My Camelback and Ten Wheeler have tons of whistle smoke.

Brad

80 drops is probably way too much. You have a lake in the smoke unit preventing the resistor from ever getting up to temperature.

Pete

I think I'm fine with fluid. I've run it numerous times during those 80 drops over a few days. Stack smoke is great. The 80 drops has been over time for several runs. Not all at once

Brad