Over the years Märklin and other manufacturers have produced locos with limitations.

a,) Smoke generators (plastic housing)
b.) inadequate pulling power
c.) steam locos with divided frames

I've just inserted a smoke generator into my steam locos Art. No. 3086, 3112 both BR 86's, both have been converted to digital with a 5pole armature.

The apparent reason for not installing the smoke generator into a steam loco is a plastic housing.

Seuthe, the firm that produces smoke generators have a smoke unit suitable for plastic bodies.
To do job yourself, you have to be careful not to damage the chimney when drilling a hole through. the more time you take to do it the more chances you have not to damage it.
I've used a 3/16 drill bit but you start off with a much smaller size drill and step up a size as you go along.
The end result is, your heat protected smoke generator fits into the chimney.

connecting the 2 wires is simple, 1 to ground and the 2nd one to your Function 1 outlet.

At the same time I'm trying to add a sound decoder to this particular loco but whether I'll be successful or not will be revealed later on.

My 3rd attempt is the the Class 78 (3106), this loco has a metal boiler and again, I drilled a hole, this time a smaller drill size (3.5mm).

The problem is the chimney sits right above the light socket.

So I had to cut away the light socket (metal) and reduced the height of the light socket and after reducing the height, super glued it back on and this will give me the base for the connection.

because I've reduced the height, the light diffuser is no longer suitable either.

Reason:

the light bulb holder was upright, the light bulb holder is no longer available for a bulb and there isn't enough room underneath the re-glued bulbholder to fix a bulb holder and led.

Solution:

remove light diffuser and replace and fix tiny led's to the light lanterns.

this job hasn't been finalized yet but it is encouraging, a solution has been detected.

Smoke generators will be added to steam locos otherwise, either hasn't been installed or provided for by Märklin or it is impossible to do so, purely because of the size of the chimney in question (plastic housing)

Another loco in question is the Class 96 and because Märklin didn't provide any space for a smoke generator I've sold these locos.
Since than I've found out, someone else has actually fitted a smoke generator into this loco without any major problems.

Other steamlocos in questions are: BR 89, Br 80, Br 81, TT 800, Br 24 and I've converted my BR 23's already with steam generators.

My next topic is:

Steam locos with divided frames:

There are 2 loco types which come into my mind.

BR 53 and BR 96.

Looking at the construction of previous locos with divided frames or coupled frames are BR 44, BR 50 etc etc.

Looking at the construction and method used, I can't see any reasons why Märklin hasn't coupled the frames together so all axles are powered.

I'm sure, something like a linking rod could be fixed in the middle between the 2 frames.

ÖBB Rh 86















BR 78




added small wire distribution board for smoke generator, Roco 4 pin electrical coupling, wires for lights














John

thanks Rick,

Will update my progress.

When you say you've fitted a smoke generator into a BR 24 what type did you put in ?

John

A Marklin 72270. It can sometimes be a bit touchy, either a very small whisp of smoke or a heavy plume, but I'm satisfied with the solution. I made the +ve contact from a bit of brass( .22 gun cartridge) and styrene, this way there is only one wire to the housing.

A thought for the "hinged chassis locos", it will be quite hard to fit a nice solution. Maybe the best way is to build a completely new chassis out of brass sheet.
A new motor with its axle lengthways and a few reduction gears below it, transmitting power to a long axle just above the axles. A wormwheel transmits the power to the drving wheels. With a bit of luck this can fit between the frame plates and out of view. A cardan at the hinge will power the front unit.

Let me know when youv'e finished it I'll leave my BR 53 alone. I have enough locos to scratchbuild.

Great work . Thanks for posting pictures of what you are doing. It will help many others get up the nerve to upgrade loco's.

Cheers...
Darren

John nicely done. I have the metal BR 81 and Plastic BR 86 both from recent starter sets and I have wanted to add steam to both. I haven't really looked at the feasabilty yet but after your posts I am going to seriously look at it.

Chris