I have this engine and ran it for the first time in a few months. I believe its from the early 80's. It has early train sounds. Smoke is suppose to come from the side of the train. I've noticed that it is only coming out from one side and after a few runs around the track the smoke fades out. Is there a type of tune up or something that can be done to make it work better? Also the sound stopped working. Any help would be appreciated.
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You have a few issues.
The smoke from the steam chests is routed by two pieces of rubber tubing - which are by now brittle and/or broken. It is supposed to smoke from the stack as well.
Keep the smoke unit filled with liquid to keep it puffing - it does use quite a bit.
This loco has the Mighty Sound of Steam (MSOS) as well as an electronic whistle. Does the whistle work?
The bad news is that the foam pads mounting the electronic circuit boards have likely deteriorated and the components are now shorting out against the chassis. If you can get the electronics to work, fix this fast.
OR, it could be as simple as the SOS switch(usually a copper leaf spring) is out of adjustment.
Depends on the version, but his model I believe has conventional RailSounds 2.0.
SO it can be anything from tender power, bad speaker or board failure. G
1981... it didn't have RailSounds.
True, unless someone upgraded/modified it. The 95 version had it. Product number would help. G
I have all of the J's and they are all built pretty much the same.
Your MPC one is Item number 8100 Check the smoke unit. The 2 Plastic tubes on each side of the engine may be clogged. The smoke unit will probably have to be cleaned and a new resistor added. But first, does it have ample smoke fluid?
As for the sound of steam, it could be a wiring issue or the foam pad deteriorated and is shorting out on the tender frame. Replace the foam pad with double sided foam tape to insulate it from the tender shell. Check all wires both on the board and the 2 wires coming from the engine.
If all else fails, the Sound of Steam board CAN be repaired. I have someone who has fixed many of these to keep the trains with the original sounds. Let me know if I can help.
Here is a video of my MPC Powhattan Arrow from 1981 with all the cars
I have all of the J's and they are all built pretty much the same.
Your MPC one is Item number 8100 Check the smoke unit. The 2 Plastic tubes on each side of the engine may be clogged. The smoke unit will probably have to be cleaned and a new resistor added. But first, does it have ample smoke fluid?
As for the sound of steam, it could be a wiring issue or the foam pad deteriorated and is shorting out on the tender frame. Replace the foam pad with double sided foam tape to insulate it from the tender shell. Check all wires both on the board and the 2 wires coming from the engine.
If all else fails, the Sound of Steam board CAN be repaired. I have someone who has fixed many of these to keep the trains with the original sounds. Let me know if I can help.
Here is a video of my MPC Powhattan Arrow from 1981 with all the cars
Thanks a million! I would be interested in having someone look at it. I love that smoke comes out the side rods and i'd like to keep it going. If you could forward me that info. it would be much appreciated. What part of long Island were you from? I was from Island Park near Long Beach.
Send me an email, and I will be glad too!!
I am originally from Deer Park!
Taki53, here are some documents for you of the 611; you will find the info you want in chapter 3 pages 6&7. I have the same engine I just bought a month or so ago. Had to rebuild the E-Unit, But I'm still not impressed by the way it runs. At half throttle it barely goes, at full throttle it is about what half throttle should be. Don't really know what its problem is. Other than that, it was brand knew in the box. I hope you can use these.
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