I have a bachman chatanooga train set and I was wondering if I could use lionel smoke fluid in my train or do I need smoke fluid made by bachman?I was thinking about trying the scented smoke fluid but wasnt sure if I could use it so I bought the bachman smoke fluid but my train set is a half hour drive away and I havent been able to try it out yet.I was wanting to get some opinions first before I try it and ruin my engine.
Most smoke fluids are paraffin-based and “smoke” when heat is applied. Either one should work in your train set.
A word of caution: All of these smoke fluids are hazardous materials and have to be treated accordingly. They should be used in well-vented areas and need to be kept away from children. The use of scented smoke fluids also may cause allergic reactions.
thank you that’s exactly what I needed to know.This was my first time posting on the forums and you have been a big help,I didnt expect anyone to reply so quickly.
Thanks again,
Brant Clark
Hazardous materials is a bit of a misnomer. Theater smoke is plainly labeled as “non-toxic” and the MSDS agrees. If yours is toxic just switch brands and use with ventilation to be safe.
Karl
Also be aware that these smoke fluids make an oily film that settles on everything and attracts dust like a magnet. Before long your track is an oily gunky mess.
Oh, good grief… Just use Seuthe smoke fluid. It pretty much dries to nothing overnight. I have only one smoking locomotive (BLI Class A) with a Seuthe smoke unit in it, and after some time of running, there is an oily residue on the boiler around the stack. The next day?..Gone!
Oh, and by the way, CANDLES are parrafin based too. DON’T USE THEM IN YOUR HOME! YOU MIGHT DIE!!! (don’t go outside either. It’s DANGEROUS out there)
There seem to be a lot of opinions about what smoke fluid is derived from or what it does to you or your layout. In a discussion on the Garden Railways magazine forums a couple of years ago a chemist said it is basically just plain mineral oil, and there’s little difference between any of them except additives to give them different scents.
the lionel smoke fluid I bought smokes but only after I stop the train.I’m not sure if it’s just moving too fast to see or if it’s just the brand of the fluid.When I used bachmann I didnt have any problems it worked great.could it be that the smoke fluid is old?I wasnt sure why it wouldnt work if most fluids are the same.every so often it will shoot out a puff of smoke but it usually only smokes after it’s stopped.
I do agree that it settles on everything, but you will never use that much of it to notice it at all. And here in Pa. there has been at least 50+ deaths from people using toxic smoke fluid. Common, unless you are in a 5 x 5 room with 80+ engines running the fluid 23hrs a day for 4 yesrs you will not succomd to any ill effects. Give us a break people. Just use it. I don’t have any engines that use it, IMO it stinks and looks stupid. But it will not cause any illnesses. You can even use both kinds like you said. Enjoy
Mike
I’ve have it on good authority that the stuff can have adverse effects on your credit rating, your I. Q., your love life, and your hat size
P.S. Be sure and consult your physician should a rash or anal leakage occur.