K-Line smoking caboose smoker

these are nice cabooses but when you use the smoke it gets so hot it melts and warps

the plastic bodies-I remember hearing members wrapped aluminum foil in the inside

around the smoke unit-I have 2 kline smoking cabooses-too detailed ad nic to get destroyed by using smoke unit-other members will give better info. on this besides me-enjoy them-be careful.

If I'm not mistaken, some of the later cabooses came with a switch to limit the voltage to the smoke unit if it was being run in a command environment (constant 16-18 volts). Is there any sort of switch that might serve to switch modes (or an on/off control)?

---PCJ

To answer the original question, they do not have a fan, they're not designed to smoke like a locomotive.

I have one that has the TMCC/Conventional switch.  It's interesting to note that it's set to TMCC and there is a plastic lock that you have to unscrew to switch it to convention.  You really have to WANT it to run in conventional!

Some K-Line smoking cabooses were designed for Conventional control and may have an overheating and a melting problem at 18 volts.

I've found that they take about 5 minutes to put out much smoke.   Even then, the smoke output is prototypical and considerably less than a loco.  Of course they smoke more at command voltages.

If yours does not have the command/conventional switch (only the on-off switch), you might want to install a 3A diode in series with the smoke unit.  K-line caboose smoke units sometimes melt the roof when run on the higher voltage of DCS or TMCC.  After seeing some melted ones at train shows, I did this to mine.  It smokes just fine after the change.   Here is a nice step-by-step blog article about how to do it.

Bob

I like using LGB smoke fluid in the k line caboose, seems to work a little better. Fred

If you run TMCC here is another possibility from ERR:

Lionel 17608 Smoking Action Caboose
Click on images for larger view

In addition to the 3 amp diodes you should also check and see how much insulation is in the chimney. I have many k-line cabooses and have found that most of them need some kind of repair from more insulation, to marker lights repair, broken switches. The biggest hurdle is getting to the screws which require a very long skinny screwdriver. By doing all these things it should really perform well. 

They do not have command/conventional switch, only a on/off switch.  I run both kinds of locomotives, so I should avoid putting them on the track when in command if the smoke is on?  I wouldn't mind seeing photos of ways to insulate them for command use.  Converting them to command with the Mini Commander sounds like something I would only look at doing way down the road since they are brand new (Boxes still factory taped shut new!) and I don't want to open them up yet for a long while.  Maybe when I convert them to LED someday.  Thanks for the info.  They are beautiful and detailed cabooses, and I really like them.  They go great with the K-Line GG1 and Allegheny I also got.

Yes, these cabooses will melt the roofs.

I have a Lionel smoking caboose and the only time I see any smoke is at full voltage.

The smoke unit works on updraft like your hot water heater.

Sinclair, I have a large collection of the high end K Line cabeese, they are the best detailed cabeese that I have found short of brass.

 TAKE THEM OUT AND ENJOY THEM, why leave them in the box.

GunRunnerJohn has it right!  I have just one of these and it just works so much better when I run it with my TMCC engines. Yes it barely smokes, but she does a good job. I checked (by opening it up) and there isn't a fan..............it's just a simple smoking caboose..........and the details........the ladders; opening door (tho fragile as heck) and little chimney T are pretty cool.

     Never smokes that much, but the guests love it (me too.....duh)

Don't make 'em shelf Queens..........run 'em!

Sinclair

Some models do have a DCS/TMCC and an On/Off switch.  That will limit the high voltage when running command voltages. 

Mort

Oh, trust me, I own no shelf queens.  They were out of the box an hour after I unwrapped them (Had to feed the kiddies breakfast, although the older one would of skipped it on his own like dad because of the LEGO Lone Ranger train set he got.).  I didn't know the doors open, I'll have to try that when I get home tonight to see if mine do.  Any recommendations on what I can do to keep the roofs from melting with the smokers on for long periods at command voltage?  I love running with all the smoke and sounds.

For TMCC/DCS running, just put a series diode in line with the smoke unit feed.  If you want to get fancy for command/conventional, drop in a switch that shorts the diode for conventional running.