August 8, 2015.
I just purchased the Lion Chief Plus NW2. Out of the box for the first run, both smokestacks were dynamically pushing a lovely plume of smoke a good 6-plus inches straight up into the air. Went to bed HAPPY! Day two, added two more drops of fluid, and nearly nothing! Repeated tests (run conventional --- run with 18 volts via remote --- run engine alone --- run with a long consist --- run on 3 different tracks with 3 different transformers) and the result is the same every time. It has been three days of trying different things now. There is a VERY PASSIVE whisp that comes from mainly the front stack (a bit less from the other) and it's all quite passive. Also note fluid "leaks" from bottom of main diesel body/cowling -AND- the "drop hump" part of the cowling behind stacks/in front of cab seems quite hot to the touch after very short runs. Also, smoke "smells" and is nothing like other smoker I have. I tried a Christmas pine fluid and it is not pleasant..sure ain't a pretty smell! When I blow down the stacks (as if to break up a meniscus) the smoke mainly whisps above the first truck --- under the engine! Looks stupid seeing smoke coming from under the diesel, above the trucks! Any thoughts? My gut is either the smoke unit has failed (on the second day of ownership!) or possibly the "fan-driven" feature isn't functioning and not pushing smoke up the stacks. Help! Ideas?
