Protosmoke® Unit Operation - M.T.H. Empire State Express Operator's Manual

ProtoSmoke® Unit Operation
This Premier steam locomotive contains a self-powered smoke unit that outputs smoke
through the smokestack on the roof of the engine. The smoke unit is essentially a small
heating element and wick that soaks up and then heats a mineral oil-based fluid that emits
a harmless smoke. The smoke is then forced out of the stack by a small electric fan.
Smoke volume is controlled by the Proto-Sound 2.0 system.
With a few easy maintenance steps, you
should enjoy trouble-free smoke unit
operation for years.
When preparing to run this engine, add
Add Smoke Fluid
15-20 drops of smoke fluid through the
smokestack (see Fig. 10). We recommend
M.T.H. ProtoSmoke, Seuthe, LGB, or
LVTS fluids. Do not overfill the unit or
the fluid may leak out and coat the interior
engine components.
If you choose not to add the fluid (or have
Figure 10
already added the fluid but choose to run
smoke-free), turn off the smoke
unit switch located under the
locomotive cab (see Fig. 11).
Failure either to add fluid to the
Smoke Unit
unit or to turn it off may
ON/OFF Switch
damage the smoke unit heating
element and/or wick material.
When the smoke output while
running the engine begins to
diminish, add another 10-15 drops
of smoke fluid or turn the smoke
unit off.
When storing the unit for long
periods of time, you may want to
Figure 11
add about 15 drops of fluid to
prevent the wick from drying out.
After removing the engine from storage, add another 25 drops of fluid, letting the wick
soak up the fluid for 15 minutes prior to operation.
Premier 4-6-4 Empire State Express 17