Big Boy Parts Diagram

Hello PJB,

I'm sorry for the delayed response. Apparently, Lionel has revised the RA policy in regards to this Vision Line release Locomotive. As read in Page 33 of the Manual. You can seek out a locally Trained Factory Authorized Service Technician for service Repair on your smoke units and other related issues. Or, if need be, contact Lionel directly. A list of Factory Authorized Techs is available on the Lionel.com web site. Or simply call Lionel for a Technician they recommend in your area if you choose not to ship. Your smoke issue is a relatively simple fix. If I were you I'd try to go local. Good luck. You should be able to find someone near you for assistance. Please see Below.

This VISION Big Boy locomotive has an advanced smoke system that includes engine
temperature monitoring. The temperature sensor can trigger an error though unlikely;
however, if an error code is shown, turn off the smoke (see figure 9 on page 10 for the switch
location). If the smoke system fails to generate quality levels of smoke, and especially if the
time to generate any smoke exceeds 30 to 45 seconds with ample fluid in the smoke unit,
then the temperature sensor may have failed. The failure of the sensor is not specifically
harmful, but results in less than optimal smoke output. In this case, correction will require
the locomotive to be returned to a local Factory Trained Authorized Lionel Service Station, or
contact Lionel Customer Service for repair.

I apologize if this is a repeated posting in regards to the policy on warranty repair.

Trainrails, This is wonderful news, as this will not only save Lionel a few dollars, the Vision Engine will have less wear and tare do to shipping.  Wow, IMPROVEMENT ALREADY.

THANKS for reading the Manual of Us. Happy Railroading. (This is stated several places in the manual)

Thanks train rails!  

I know of one LHS in the area that's an authorized repair shop.  But I've seen the work they do and it's scary.  And he's not up on the latest and greatest by any stretch.  I can ask but I'd almost feel better having someone help that's already aware and has done this. I plan to attend the Springfield (Big E) show at the end of this month.  Is anyone here who did the "batting" change going to attend?   Peter. 

Here try this link...

http://www.lionel.com/Customer...ce&submit=Search

There's 172 of them so you can plug in your own zip code on the right to narrow your search for someone near you.

I was also frustrated with lack of blowdown smoke. I tried Jim's suggestion and replaced batting with Lionel fiberglass smoke unit wick material. Results were good.

Thanks for the suggestion Jim.

Frank

I am surprised how sensitive this smoke unit is.  It really shouldn't be.  The whole issue of the partridge is too cold, too hot doesn't make sense for small confined smoke element like this.

Lionel themselves show the drenching of the elements and wick when they rebuild a smoke unit.

The issue of too much contact cooling the element off, means not enough current flow in my opinion.   G

It makes you wonder if Lionel agreed to make sub-par smoke units for the forseeable future as part of the lawsuit settlement.

My Father taught me to always say "Thank You" when someone does something to help you.  In this case special thanks to Jojofry, Alex,,and Gunrunner John who showed me the way to take apart my Big Boy and improve the blowdown effect which was totally inadequate.   After screwing up the nerve to take the shell off, I reworked the resistor and batting and found the blowdown effect vastly improved.  Before I pretty much had to put my nose right up to the engine to see the smoke......now it plumes out.  When I had it off the track, I checked the gears and found them barely lubricated.  I fixed that right up with some red and tacky.."...now everything seems good to go.  So thank you to all the guys on this forum who have the steel b...s to make this great locomotive that much better!

-Pete