Local repair of MTH smoke unit.

JamesRxOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

I just took my RailKing Empire State Express steam engine (30-2490-1) out of storage and after working intermittently the smoke unit has stopped completely. At first it was working fine while the engine was running but did not produce any smoke while the engine was in neutral, although I could still hear the fan motor whirring. As soon as the engine started running again smoke would pour out. Then it stopped all together and I no longer hear the smoke unit motor at all and just a small stream of smoke trickles out of the stack . I live in New York City. Does anyone know of a good person to bring it to for repair? Preferably somewhere in the five boroughs so I wouldn't have to ship it.

6/30/186:04 PM

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Alan MancusOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

sounds like the fan motor may have stopped has it been sitting for a long period f time?

I hope you did not try to run your engine without changing the 8.4 volt battery especially if it is the white one? I would not try to run it again until a mth tech checks it out, you can take the top off and see if it has the white battery, if so replace it with the new mth green battery then retest and possibly try a small drop of oil in the fan motor bearings at both ends only one small drop!

the fan motors only cost $6.00 plus shipping

6/30/186:34 PM

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JamesRxOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Thanks! You reminded me that I have heard of the dreaded white battery! I didnt even check!! Its back in the box!

6/30/187:00 PM

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pennsydaveOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

That product ID is for a E3 A-A unit! not the Empire State Express steam

6/30/1811:40 PM

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JamesRxOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

You are right Dave! My mistake...it’s actually 30-1490-1. Thanks for the correction.

7/1/186:36 AM

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gunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

You can start by giving a quick shot of canned air down the stack, it may free the smoke motor and not require maintenance.

7/1/189:40 AM

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Marty FitzhenryOGR Forum Member MEMORIALIZED MEMBER

John is correct. A blast of air will turn the impeller and as a result of that the fan motor will spin.

7/2/1810:38 PM

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JamesRxOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Thanks Marty and John! I will try that and let you know.

7/3/187:50 AM

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JamesRxOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Just back from a few days at Cape May for the 4th and I purchased a can of compressed air, as suggested by Marty and John....it worked!! Smoking normally right away. Thank you guys so much!,

7/7/1812:30 AM

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gunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Sometimes the easy fixes work.