This belonged to my father and we just don't have anyone who is interested in using it much.
We had it running around Christmas and it was running fine. Though each time we get it out we have to lightly sand the connections to have it make a full loop.
I don't have any of the smoke pellets, but I don't know any reason they wouldn't work.
The controller is not original - my dad bought a new one 10 years or so ago.
The power brick for the controller looks like it fell and cracked open. Likely needs to be replaced.