New to all this and got my first steam engine for my son’s room and notice an odd order when the engine starts to produce smoke. So what is the smoke fluid made of and are the fumes harmful?
i doubt it. it would be really stupid for a company to make a smoke unit that will be harmful in enclosed spaces (lawsuits like none other). it might be a more refined version of the stuff that was used in the old gilbert flyer stuff - that smells pretty weird.
I believe that it is a highly refined, light oil, such as castor oil. It is made to smoke the same way hot oils smoke when the frying pan gets hot enough. Trouble is, the smoke units have been know to fry the surrounding plastic, too. Also, the oil residue can build up on the layout surfaces, on the track, on the loco, itself, and on the walls of your train room if you use it long and often.
It is worth trying it once in a while, or for a short time, until you get over it’s cuteness. Most of us leave off it soon after trying it.
Try some of the other brands that work with your loco. We got a Christmas scent for our “G” scale under the tree and use just the Bachmann for the HO. Looking into a wood burning scent for the lumber mill area. Like ANYTTHING to much is no good, and sticking nose over stack to get a good whiff is a NO NO
LOL.
The Crest brand (not the toothpaste) smoke fluid doubles as track cleaning fluid.
Their claim is “…for the cleanest smoke around without the buildup”.
It’s petrolelum based but no other info on what kind it is. Maybe it’s like or is Whal oil
Seuthe has smoke for severals diffirent steamloco and are harmlees.It`s not poision!
If you are using to much smokefluids,then in case open window and breif air.
agge
TRUE STORY! Today 3/17/2006 at a friends BASEMENT railroad, NO WINDOWS and (6) Bachmann “G” scale steamers making LOTS of smoke ( he has a 2200 sq ft basement) Set off the smoke alarm which auto dialed the fire company. We where in shock when the where beating on the door. ROFLAO the bunch of us kids. I am the youngest at over well over 55!!
Go to megasteam.com and there is an online MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) that provides the characteristics of the smoke fluid. I’d think they are basically the same. Any manufacturer has to provide a MSDS for their product. As I read the MSDS, there is slight health hazard, and if common sense prevails, should not be a problem.
Jim
Dont and go use the smoke unit. By using your smoke unit it Detrackes from the price if you and go sell the engine at a later date, this is from a collecting stand point. Kevin
Thanks everyone for the insight, and the funny story about the St. Patty’s Day Smoke Out!!!
The Novelty had worn out for me, but it’s my 3 year old I am worried about…