Polar Express 3-31960 NO smoke unit on/off switch?

I believe they are inside the cab, up against the firebox maybe? Its been awhile since I've had mine out.

Rick- thanks.... NO switches inside cab, or anywhere else I can see!! JohnA

Just found them, against the firebox door!! They look like part of the casting.  Certainly not where the manual said. Thanks!!!!! JohnA

The should be in there on the floor in front of the firebox as the manual shows. The manual does a poor job of representing the depth of the cab, otherwise its correct.

The switches are not marked either, just a black square tab sticking up from the floor.

You may need a flashlight.

Here is a scan of the pictorial in my manual with a photo of the switches on my PE for comparison. Pardon the dust... dang camera resolution & lighting!

Mine has the Smoke and Reverse switches as shown.

I'm not sure what position your switch was in when you checked it, but if it was in the on position, and you weren't getting any smoke, it could be that it just needs some time to heat up, and adding more fluid will just drowned it out. I've had this issue a couple times with some of my locos and thought that something might be wrong, but after letting them run a while and heat up, they all started smoking again. Just a thought.

-Scott

Guys- thanks for everyone’s help.  I actually have an eye exam scheduled.....those switches were hard to see!!! Getting older is fun!  JohnA

Actually, there is truth in that. By the time we hit 60, we need three times the amount of ambient light to do things like read comfortably.

I have found that using a flashlight to look for things like the location and on-off setting of a smoke switch helps me from getting frustrated. So you’re not the first to miss those switches on the back of the Polar Express cab.

Thanks, Jim.... I am 58, and it’s an engine I only run at Christmas.  I actually do use a flashlight to help me find things in my garage and basement, like on American Pickers! Narrows my focus. JohnA

Regarding warming up, I had the same issue with my Lionchief+ B&O 6-81307; after 4 years of storage and adding 10 drops at startup, it would not smoke unless it was static and left that way for a few minutes; then, after that, when moving, it would smoke.