I noticed some Lionel CSX AC6000s (6-28298, 6-28305) for sale out there but their cab roofs are damaged from the smoke unit. The 6-ohm smoke unit on these models are screwed directly to the underside of the cab. I don't want this same thing to happen to mine. What is causing the heat damage and is it preventable?
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From what I see in the pictures, it looks like physical damage, not from heat. I can suggest lining the under side of the body with aluminum foil under the stacks.
Years ago the stack on my Lionel U30C warped from the heat from the smoke unit. I ordered spares, but it hasn't done it since.
First thing is to replace the 6 ohm resistor with an 8 ohm resistor. Lionel was recommending that change some time ago, turns out the 6 ohm was cooking the voltage regulators too often. Less current, less heat, less smoke with the 8 ohm. For diesels, I don't worry about maximum smoke volume, I normally run them on lower settings in any case, diesels shouldn't smoke like steam. 
I replaced the smoke unit resistor from 6 to 8 ohms and installed aluminum foil tape to the underside of the cab. That ought to do it. Thanks for the suggestions.
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