Burning switch tower

It sounds like maybe you bought an older model and are trying to wire it with a newer model's instructions.

We need to know exactly what you bought, and what the instruction sheet says at the top.

The original Burning Switch Tower (6-12768) from (if memory serves on the years) 1991-1993 is different than all the more recent variants done probably over the last 20 years or so.  Here is a link to the old Manual on Lionel's site.  As the manual says, it's meant for 10-12 volts, so if you put it on a layout where you tap off track that is at 18, yes, you certainly could possibly have a real fire.

The newer ones (quite a few model #'s) have a solid base and 4 clips in a row labeled "AC Input", "AC Input", "Action", and "Light".   Also if you look at the smoke element, it is a metal plate with a slit in it where you put the smoke fluid.  Here is a link to one of the newer manuals on Lionel's site.  Per this manual, it says these can work at 12-18 volts (since they were designed after TMCC came out, Lionel most likely modified the design so people would be less likely to have problems)

The original one has a large opening in the base underneath, and the posts are on the corners of this opening and numbered as shown in the manual.  the smoke element on these looks very much like a Seuthe unit (tube with coil inside) mounted to the 2nd floor, near the solenoid and bracket.

-Dave

@rattler21 posted:

Francis,  Please proof read the fourth sentence.    ......my clips are numbered so.............  Is that correct?  John

Not actually the clips, but the numbers 1-4 are stamped near respective clips in the plastic base.

@Dave45681 posted:

It sounds like maybe you bought an older model and are trying to wire it with a newer model's instructions.

We need to know exactly what you bought, and what the instruction sheet says at the top.

The original Burning Switch Tower (6-12768) from (if memory serves on the years) 1991-1993 is different than all the more recent variants done probably over the last 15 years or so.  Here is a link to the old Manual on Lionel's site.  As the manual says, it's meant for 10-12 volts, so if you put it on a layout where you tap off track that is at 18, yes, you certainly could possibly have a real fire.

The newer ones (quite a few model #'s) have a solid base and 4 clips in a row labeled "AC Input", "AC Input", "Action", and "Light".   Also if you look at the smoke element, it is a metal plate with a slit in it where you put the smoke fluid.  Here is a link to one of the newer manuals on Lionel's site.

The original one has a large opening in the base underneath, and the posts are on the corners of this opening and numbered as shown in the manual.  the smoke element on these looks very much like a Seuthe unit (tube with coil inside) mounted to the 2nd floor, near the solenoid and bracket.

-Dave

Thanks Dave for the info. It is the old manual.