Replacing A Williams 746 Smoke Unit With a Fan Driven One

Alan

I would have to say an MTH Proto 1 smoke unit as they run directly off of track power. I consulted with one of their technitians and he said it was possible. The only problem is how would you mount it?

I agree with Allen. I have the same engine and the smoke unit is very poor. I would like to change it. Any ideas? Thanks

Hi Alan,

Like mentioned above, the MTH Proto one smoke unit will work right off track power

You can also use a Lionel 27 OHM smoke unit which also runs right off track power

either one will work. Most other smoke units (newer ones ) would need a regulator

installed before it goes to track power.

Alex

As far as mounting, for many locomotives you can JB-Weld a spring to the bottom and just "spring" it in place.  That allows you to position it and have easy access for maintenance.

For many jobs, I solder a small piece of brass tubing to the smoke unit that just matches the inside diameter of the stack.  I run the length near the top of the stack, this precludes any smoke fluid getting around the sides.

John,  I have a patent on the spring loaded smoke unit, please cease and desist using my idea unless only used for your personal enjoyment. 

Here are pictures of a Lionel version in a brass J.  MTH units have legs, short and long depending on the unit.  So the legs may help with mounting.  You do need to manufacture a stack to fit.  If smoke can be mounted on the chassis with custom bracket that works too.  That way shell comes off with smoke unit in place on chassis.  I have done this for K-Line.

Lionel smoke units don't normally have legs.  You can purchase some pre made stacks from Lionel.

In this case with a brass shell, the smoke unit had to be mounted in a confined location.  I have used brackets, springs, wood dowel, all depends on the construction of the specific engine and constraints imposed.   G

Yep, I've mounted them in a variety of ways, but the spring sometimes works with minimal effort, and for the brass locomotives with just a cavern in the front, the spring seems to do the trick the best.  When I use the MTH smoke unit, I solder a short brass tube to the brass threads on the smoke unit that projects up through the stack.  I've also used JB-Weld to secure the stack, but I prefer soldering if the brass threads or insert is on the stack of the smoke unit.  With no brass to solder to, I drill the exhaust hole to the correct size for the brass tube I need to closely fit the stack and JB-Weld it to the smoke unit.