I have a lionel berskhire conventional loco that the smoke unit switch will no longer turn the smoke unit off. I ran a continuity test on the switch and the switch still seems to be working. I am unfamiliar with how that switch actually interupts the smoke unit as the switch is connected to the reverse board and not the smoke unit itself. Any ideas on how to trouble shoot this or a possible work around?
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Are you sure is the smoke switch and not the forward only (reverse lockout) switch you are checking?
Otherwise the smoke control board could be shorted out and bypassing the switch.
If it's conventional only, I'd think the smoke switch would be switching the smoke unit directly.
What's the exact model number of the locomotive?
Looking into the cab, the smoke unit switch is on the left.
No wiring diagrams I can find.
Given the picture of the E-Unit board, maybe the smoke is wired into it.
The smoke unit on my Polar Express 1225 Berkshire (from the starter set) has been permanently smoke-on since day one. Have tried everything except replacing the board--no luck.
Smokes like the dickens, so I just count my blessings I don't have the opposite problem. 
You can wire the switch into the smoke unit circuit, should be no problem at all. The same little slide switches control power to many smoke units on both Lionel and MTH locomotives.
John,
There seems to be a noticeable difference in the gauge wiring between the smoke unit wires and the wires from the board to the switch. I replace the smaller gauge wire to be on the safe side.
Can't hurt, but the smoke unit only uses about an amp of current, so I doubt it's going to tax most wiring.
Any idea if the rattshack would carry some shrink tube that small??
John i know what you mean. Luckliy the local hobby shop did have some small diameter shrink tube.
Probably best that you're addressing it. During the course of normal operation this morning, my PE Berk died on the rails in a puff of black smoke. Upon opening her up, the board (same as pictured above) is toasted and the wires melted. Looks like the "always on" smoke problem might have been indicative of other issues with the board.
Bummer, as I've never had an engine fail before--ironic that its the youngest locomotive on my roster. LOL
Very sorry to hear that. Check pricing maybe a replacement board wouldnt be that expensive or maybe go with a err board.
Since that is a conventional reverse board, there are plenty of inexpensive replacements for them.
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