Well for now we have model trains that can be programed to run by themselves, we have quite a varity of sounds, seems the only thing we do not have is ‘‘SMELL’’, yes, smell.You would be able to smell the steam and coal smoke from your steamer. Suppos that you are hauling cattle or pigs to market wouldn’t you like to be able to smell the stock cars roll out of the tunnel on a hot day, you could even get a whiff of Bob Grech’s cattle car.Might even get to smell the outhouse on Spacemouse’s layout. Are we getting close to this added pleasure? What do you think about this?
For Tinplate trains they have already come out with scented smoke fluid. Some of the scents were coal smoke, diesel exhaust, and wood smoke.
In the 80’s I remember an add that was in each months MR that sold sound tracks and smells of some sort to place around the layout. At least I think thats right…when did I start saying back in the 80’s…
You don’t know the minister. If you did, you’d know that would not be an option.
The company was called Olfactory Airs, offering the odors of coal smoke, forests, diesel engines, and several others. They seemed to have lasted in business perhaps six months before folding. Hobbyists regarded it as a silly and unnecessary adjuct to operating their layout.
CNJ831
I’ve said this before on this forum, but I’ll add my two cents worth. Creosote is king. It is also a carcinogen, so if you ever should decide that you would like some of its odor on or near your layout, be very careful. (This assumes that anybody has some, because I know that it is banned in some parts).
For me, a walk on a right of way (unused, of course) with old creosoted ties, crossing creosoted timber trestles, and even being near railroad yards in years gone by, the familiar and compelling smell of creosote it it.
A gentleman suggested using vanilla extract as a substitute, which I willing tried right away. Mmmm…not quite. Not for me.
Beside,. i tink all ths wurry about kreesote is aaaa binch ove mnularky.
I think creosote is one smell we all associate with trains, I’ve walked many a mile on rights of way years back and that smell stays with you. That and diesel exhaust from a passing train are two odors that still remind me off trains, but I don’t want them in my basement, as for outhouse odors, I probally can creat my own…