I just got a postwar 681 turbine with a great smoke unit. I want to get smoke pellets for it but I’m not sure if I should go with postwar or reproduction pellets.
does it matter if the pellets are soft? Will it cause any problems if they break up inside the smoke unit?
If I do go with reproduction what company should I buy and do they have the same smell and smoke output as the postwar ones did?
The smoke pellets break up in the smoke unit and melt regardless, so I doubt using soft pellets will do anything.
The pellets I use are the Trainz pellets. The work good and I have heard they have the same smell as the original ones.
Why pellets? Liquid will work just great. Haven’t used pellets in years. FYI: The melting pellets turn to liquid.
Was there a difference between the pill smoke units (1947-1956) and the fluid smoke units (1957-1969) or did lionel just make a new option for smoke in the form of liquid? Also, how many drops should I put in?
Thanks
The liquid units are different and dont take pellets. The fluid will work in pill units with adequate results. I find the original pellets provide a better puffing effect and perhaps work a little better. The advantage of liquid is less mess.
I’ve always been told 2-3
Basiclly the elements. The pill units have a flat surface with the sire wrapped around it. The pill sits on the flat surface. The liquid one has round wound element and touches the wicking. The pill and liquid ones have wicking and a “puffing” chimney [that you want to make sure is open so the piston below can puff the air into the top chamber]. Thus you get the puffing out the stack.
PS: I keep it wet [4 or 5 drops and watch for decrease in smoke] as not to char the wicking.
As folks have already noted, it is possible to use smoke fluid in a pellet type smoke unit. But before you do so, be aware, that the odor and characteristics of smoke fluid and smoke pellets are very different. I prefer smoke pellets for a two reasons. The smoke from pellets just smell better to me. Also, smoke pellet smoke solidifies back into fine a fine dust. What happens to smoke fluid smoke? I think I’d rather breath in a little dust.
You can use either old Lionel pellets or the newly made trainz pellets. Both work fine and smell OK. I have a number of jars of crushed and broken pellets. This stuff works fine, one just has to be careful not to put too much in. In general, never add more smoke stuff until you are certain that what was in there is used up. Too much smoke stuff will actually decrease the amount of smoke, and can clog the unit all together. Smoke pellets will solidify when you stop using the engine, and will generate smoke the next time you use it again.
Years ago Kline made smoke stuff. It came as pellets in medicine vials. The stuff works ok, but I don’t care for the smell. Someone also sold little packets of smoke stuff that was either granules or a powder. I don’t recall the brand. This may have been a Kline product too. (it’s been awhile)
Finally, I think Lionel last cataloged SP smoke pellets in 1972 ot 1973.
Unpacked my trains a few years ago. Still have some of the KLine ones in the plastic medicine “bottles”. Tried one and it stinks!!! Put them up as “keep sakes”.
I agree with what cwburfle said about the different smell. There was extra powder in the smoke unit and it did smell nicer. Although, smoke fluid is half the price. Well maybe Ill use my fluid and also buy a bottle of postwar pills for when I get nostalgic.
Seems like ebay would be the best bet for postwar pellets. Anyone know of any cheaper options?
I would have said Trainz; but their website doesn’t seem to list them any more. Does anyone know whether they are still selling them?
IMHO, once you put smoke fluid in there, you will be stuck with the odor forever. As I previously wrote, the smoke pellets that are currently made by Trainz work fine, and smell OK too. They sell for $15 per bottle. I frecently ran across one parts dealer who had a few bottles @ $13, but for the most part everybody seems to sell them for $15. I even tried to get a better price by buying a full carton of twelve bottles from the Trainz folks down at York, but no dice. I do see them on Ebay, but on the other hand, if you get them at your local train shop, you will save on the shipping. Or, if you order them from an on-line hobby shop, you can buy a couple of items and save on the combined shipping.