How to: Tomy Real Steam Loco Repair

[stainedgaming]

alright, i'll see if i can pick up some distilled water next time i'm shopping

[stainedgaming]

made some distilled water by boiling water and collecting the vapour, tried it in thomas and steamed for a little bit then it stopped

disappointing..

[Super]

Using Distilled water now may not work as any deposits left from the non-distilled may have mucked up the process...if thats the problem in the first place. The old, with a reservoir and wick was easy to get into and clean, I don't know anything about this new way if in fact its a different process. Wish I had a broken down one like the one you have to tear into it to see how it ticks 😎

[stainedgaming]

well, if i get classic metallic all steaming issues will be resolved :)
time to search ebay

[plarnold]

1) Exactly. Distilled water is specifically treated to make it devoid of impurities like tap water tends to contain, and as such should not leave dissolved materials.
2/4) It uses a small electronic component that converts energy to heat, a.k.a Joule heating. When the engine is supposed to "puff", the heating element receives a pulse to quickly vaporise the water. That's why the Steam Along Thomas (the first version) uses three batteries (4.5V) in the powered Annie. Same with the two D51s and the TrackMaster 2 Real Steam Thomas/James/Percy.
5) The second version was redesigned to be detachable while still not self powered. Moving the batteries into the loco meant there was no room for a reservoir underneath like the first version has. Strange seeing as Mattel worked out how to do it while making their versions all self contained, albeit without sound.