I am considering preordering one or more of the Paragon 2 Diesels that claim to be equipped to offer real smoke from the stacks. Supposedly the quantity of smoke is determined by the engine’s throttle speed. As expensive as these locos are, I’d be reluctant to add anything caustic or corrosive to these premium priced models. Admittedly, though, this could be a cool feature. Does anyone have any thoughts or knowledge about smoke equipped locomotives (guess diesel and steam would be same set up?) and whether or not the smoke feature could damage the engine (or require pesky body off frame cleaning or maintenance)? Thanks in advance for your replies.
My BLI NYC Hudson J1e has smoke that puffs out in sinc with the steam chuff. Although intersting to see the smoke come out and what it does after leaving the loco, the smoke doesn’t look very scale like. I don’t know if it will build up residue in locations unwanted (rail heads). I have not read information on the smoke feature, so don’t know anything about it, other than I don’t really want it.
Really, there are a lot of things in our models and layouts that are not really to scale… curved track, ground foam…locomotive sound.
Sometimes, you have to acknowledge the limitations and like something simply because its cool. And the smoke coming from the loco in that video is cool.
Having said that, I hope smoke coming from diesel models will somehow be black. I’m thinking Alcos and Uboats.
If we can suspend disbelief, whatever helps us to dig deeper into the scale experience is good. Unfortunately, while the tinny sound possible today in HO scale locos is reasonable to me, and does truly make my enjoyment better, the smoke is a definite “Meh.” Doesn’t have the correct volume, the correct smell, or even the right look. Sound is limited and doesn’t scale well, but the purely white wisps of smoke, even with rhythmic puffs, just doesn’t cut it for me. So, step one upon receipt of a new BLI Paragon 2 steamer is to invert the loco and slide the smoke switch to off.
One other complaint, but only related somewhat; I have purchased three Paragon 2 locos from a certain dealer, and in all three cases the smoke container was not present when I opened the box for the first time. Am I alone in this? Do some of you get smoke tubes?
Interesting video, but it also shows why some people do not like the effect. Real steam is light and floats away. This “steam” is a bit heavier than air. Looking at time stamps 0:40 and 1:20, the steam, particularly from the cylinder drain cocks, flows down the hillside. Also, to be accurate, the cylinder cock steam should shut off after a short running time.
No smoke unit has ever fooled me and made me think I was looking at a prototype loco. The “smoke” flows around the layout as a wispy something-or-other. Something like the ground-hugging fog in the graveyard in a low budget horror film. I’ve never seen a model produce the billowing plumes of steam that a real steam loco produces. The closest I ever saw was on one of these threads, showing a loco that had a “vape” system added. In that case, there was too much steam and it didn’t always come from the right places at the right time, but the overall effect was far better.
I could imagine a non-nicotine vape system being developed, but we’re certainly not there yet. And of course, there may be major problems that I haven’t anticipated.
I used to think that the smoke feature was a must and didn’t appreciate people having a negative view on it. But as time went by, I did come to appreciate what they were saying. I do wish they would make a unit that would look prototypical. With that said I own many smoke engines and it has never affected the performance of the engine
I appreciate all the replies on the smokin’ locos topic. After reading all the feedback, I am inclined to turn the smokin’ feature off if I do buy the Paragon 2 engines I’m considering. Thanks!
The last two videos are much better. The last is in G scale and possibly the larger scales make better candidates for smoke. I don’t know if HO scale works for smoke. This certainly is a question that should be left up to the individual. If you want it, fine. If you don’t, don’t buy smoke equipped locomotives or turn the smoke option off.
NP2626 - it´s not G scale, but scale 1. G scale is a mix of scales and gauges - from 1/20.3 up to 1/29. Scale 1 is is the correct 1/32 for standard gauge.
Roco now offers similar steam features in HO scale - see this video.
I still think it´s a little thin and the wrong color [swg]
Was that indoor video taken before or after your divorce? [(-D]
Tell a 5 year old that model train smoke is not prototypical.
I just bought a Paragon 2 steam engine. My grandson only wants to run that sucker. LOL
I spoke to the technician at BLI, and he assured me that the smoke unit will not harm the locomotive, just don’t run it dry. And BLI locos accept any brand of smoke fluid, not just the BLI brand.
I gotta go back and watch PM Railfan’s video again. I love it !
Rich - I have seen these locos performing in person and I have to admit it is quite impressive. There is even a small plume of smoke emitted from the whistle when you operate it! I wish I had the space and the funds to build a scale 1 layout! A loco is priced to the tune of $ 3.500 and the consumption of smoke fluid is also a drain on one´s budget. The flip side of it is - you need quite a large, well vented room. I find the fumes irritating.
Some great videos here. I enjoyed them all. Here is one from the BRVRR of a BLI Niagara with the smoke unit working. The relevant part is the introduction to the video from 1-30 seconds.
As to the smell of the smoke, we use Mega-Steam smoke fluid which comes in a variety of scents including Coal-Fired Steam, Christmas Pine and Cranberry Woods among others.