Christmas Train Smoke not working with new smoke oil

[johnloud]

My Christmas Train is one year old.  I set it up for Christmas.  I lubed it and it runs great.  Last night, I used left over smoke oil.  It worked great.  I ran out then I used new smoke oil which I just received from your web site.  No smoke.  Due to an earlier question today, it was suggested that the smoke generator might be burned out.  I tried to take the upper body off the engine to check.  I could not figure out how to do that.  I could not find instructions or a drawing for the 4-6-0 engine on your web site.  What do you think is the problem?  Is it the new smoke oil?  Is it a burned out smoke generator?  If so, how do I remove and install a new one?

[the Bach-man]

Dear John
The smoke unit is a reservoir with a post that holds the heating element. Sometimes the element rides up on the post so it doesn't contact the smoke oil,
Look down the stack, and if this seems to be the case, gently push the element back down. This will often solve the problem.
Let us know!
the Bach-man

[johnloud]

I found that the post was loose. I tightened it but could not push the coil to the bottom to the bottom.  But, I measured the resistance of the coil and found it at 0.6 MOhms, in other words, an open circuit.  I reassembled the engine and it runs great.  So, I need a new smoke unit.

It it too bad that you removed the instructions for disassembly, because they were all most right.  I would have updated them.  The key to disassembly is the screw in the underside of the truck forward, which I missed the first time.