KLine PRR Torpedo

Pictures would help.

I’ll take it apart soon and post up some pics!

 Thanks 👍

Just guessing but nose probably comes off.  Brass engines built that way. G

I took a few pic to share. I only see two screws that look remotely like they might be the ones to remove. They are under a bar that connects to the locomotive wheels on both sides. Those are secured by a flathead screw on each side. I’m guessing I’d have to remove that crossbar to be able to lift the smoke unit out. No other “top” side screws and a can’t see how the front of the unit is held on. The part with the stack.The last photo shows the 2 Philips head screws under the bar holding the wheels. The underside of the carriage is soaked with smoke fluid that I have to wipe off.

 Thanks 👍

There is one screw that goes into the square post indicated on the bottom that holds the smoke unit in place.  It will be accessed from the bottom of the locomotive.

Fantastic! I’ll give it a try.

Another question. If I can’t rewick this thing. What smoke unit can I get as a replacement?

 Thanks 👍

No real reason you can't tweak this one.  There is no "direct replacement" for that smoke unit, as you can see it's a unique design.

If I take these out, I put in fan driven smoke.

Hey, Thanks!

I’m guessing that by tweaking you may mean re-wicking?

 Thanks 👍

Yep, the stock wick was just a pad of fiberglass tucked under the smoke resistor, I was pretty surprised when I took one of these apart.  As I upgrade K-Line stuff to command with fan driven smoke, I end up with a number of mechanical smoke units of various sizes.  I have three or four of the horizontal ones like you have, interestingly enough, not all the same exact design.

I’ll take another look inside later. Sometimes I think I’ve gone to the well too many times taking this thing apart. The underside screw holding the smoke unit in has a tiny washer and that was a b*tch to get back in place.

I’ve read someplace that tiki torch wicks have been used for some smoke units. I don’t have the skill set to upgrade to a fan driven unit and I wouldn’t know which one to choo-choo choose anyway😁

Thanks!

This smoke unit design doesn't lend itself to the Tiki torch wick treatment.  It's needing a fiberglass matt under the smoke resistor, at least that's what the stock ones have.  You don't want to fill the chamber with wick as the airflow is key for good performance.

I guess I can just find a piece of fiberglass someplace and cut to size? I wonder if it is “specialized” in some way.

I’ve contacted Brasseurs to see if they can recommend a replacement smoke unit.

 Thanks 👍

I have a roll of fiberglass waterpipe insulation somewhere, got lost in the move.  It works pretty well if I happen to need that kind of fiberglass.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

No real reason you can't tweak this one.  There is no "direct replacement" for that smoke unit, as you can see it's a unique design.

If I take these out, I put in fan driven smoke.

Would you be able to tell me where I might find a fan driven smoke unit that would fit in this unit or at least a model number?

 Thanks 👍

I put MTH smoke units in them, but you'll have to make a custom mount for it.  It's the MTH AA-0000070 that I typically use, the standard MTH steam PS/2 or PS/3 smoke unit.

For many installations, I have to solder a brass tube to the funnel to mate with the shell stack.  This is an installation in a K-Line scale steam that happens to mate up perfectly without any extension.

The other factor with the MTH smoke unit is you have to change the resistor and also supply a 5V power supply for the fan.  Not a problem with my installs as I am also installing the Super-Chuffer II that provides the 5V fan power.

John,

Great information! I’m not sure I have the skill set to do all that so maybe I’ll first try to see what ails the smoke unit when I pull it out.

 Thanks 👍