Another quick question… What kind of smoke fluid do you use, and what kind produces the most smoke? I just use the Lionel smoke that comes with an engine purchase, but I am starting to run low.
There was a big discussion not too long ago on this subject…I did a search on smoke fluid.
http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/135094/1515525.aspx#1515525
Kurt
I just bought a bottle of HOT CHOCOLATE and Gingerbread scented liquid smoke yesterday. It’s made by Mega-Steam. I haven’t used this particular brand, but I’m hoping for the best.
There are different types. Most would probably suggest staying either with MFG brand, or JT’s Mega Steam. Don’t expect huge quantities of smoke from the PE locomotive. Some higher end Lionel and MTH can really fill the room, but many lower end do not. As for our house, wife has asthma and we only run the smoke for a short time anyway.
dennis
well, I have all postwar trains, I use pills or the liquid smoke, forget the name, its in a small brown glass bottle with the dropper with it as the cap. Man, it puffs smoke alot but only last for like 1 hour of running time, my engines run hot cause i am using Z transformers, more volts means more smoke and hotter smoke units. thanks.
Nothing smokes like an MTH with JT Mega-Steam!
I love that picture. [:D] Spanky, you’re using the pink insulation trick with your engines, aren’t you? I recently replaced the wicking in one of my MTH steamers with pink insulation and it really does work well. Now I just have to get some of JT’s MegaSteam to try.
- Clint
I don’t know if Bachman continues to make and carry it, BUT I have used Williams Smoke Fluid for a few years now, it works great and you get more product for the money. It works in my MTH engines that smoke like beasts, as well as my trusty Marx 666 that smokes like a beast on steriods. I doubt that any particular smoke fluid can help a weak smoking steam engine do any better. Ken
As Tom (Spank) indicated a couple of posts up…
Saw this over on OGR. Not Mega Steam. Stopped using it after what Shake and Bake posted about burnt wicking. I use Lionel in Lionel and MTH in MTH. Getting outstanding smoke but do have pink insulation as wicking. I know my Big Boy and SD40-2’s really put out the smoke with Lionel’s newer smoke units controled by Legacy. BTW: Tom cranks up the MTH smoke unit to high and then plays with the lighting to get those shots. [;)]
Chief - Like this?
YES!!!
tfabrizio [#welcome] to the CTT forum
I have been an avid user of the Mega Steam, and had very good results on new engines, but then I began to notice a couple of things.
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After awhile the smoke gradually became less, and I started to investigate it a little. With the scented smoke, a chemical or scent has to be added to gain the “smell”. The basic component is mineral oil, and when the scent is added, that will of course change the viscocity of the fluid. The heavier viscocity will most assuradly have a higher flash point. The result is a residue that will be left on the wick and reduce its effectiveness. Upon changing the wick (using replacements from Lionel/Mth originals) and using the non-scented fluids they last longer.
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As a result I have decided to stay with the original fluids, and the engines seem happier. Smoke volume is great, and scent is not all that bad. (MTH does offer some scented fluids as well.) So I have an good quantity of the Mega Steam just sitting in bottles.
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There is a LOT OF BIAS, on the other forum !!! What ever you do DO NOT say, hint, suggest, or infer that Mega Steam is anything less than the best thing since sliced bread. You will become very unpopular verrrrrry quickly!!!
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Especially if you ask any questions that may difficult to answer. I had called Mega Steam and asked,
How does the flash point compare with the originals? Was told that don’t know what the original is, therefore cannot compare !
Has any side by side testing been done regarding residual amounts left at same temperatures? Was told not recently, been done a while ago and it was ok. AND, if I am concerned about using their product, then just don’t.
After that, the conversation just deteriorated, so I was convinced. If they were not any more confident and didn’t want to substantiate their product attributes, then why should be w
[quote user=“dbaker48”]
tfabrizio 
to the CTT forum
I have been an avid user of the Mega Steam, and had very good results on new engines, but then I began to notice a couple of things.
-
After awhile the smoke gradually became less, and I started to investigate it a little. With the scented smoke, a chemical or scent has to be added to gain the “smell”. The basic component is mineral oil, and when the scent is added, that will of course change the viscocity of the fluid. The heavier viscocity will most assuradly have a higher flash point. The result is a residue that will be left on the wick and reduce its effectiveness. Upon changing the wick (using replacements from Lionel/Mth originals) and using the non-scented fluids they last longer.
-
As a result I have decided to stay with the original fluids, and the engines seem happier. Smoke volume is great, and scent is not all that bad. (MTH does offer some scented fluids as well.) So I have an good quantity of the Mega Steam just sitting in bottles.
-
There is a LOT OF BIAS, on the other forum !!! What ever you do DO NOT say, hint, suggest, or infer that Mega Steam is anything less than the best thing since sliced bread. You will become very unpopular verrrrrry quickly!!!
-
Especially if you ask any questions that may difficult to answer. I had called Mega Steam and asked,
How does the flash point compare with the originals? Was told that don’t know what the original is, therefore cannot compare !
Has any side by side testing been done regarding residual amounts left at same temperatures? Was told not recently, been done a while ago and it was ok. AND, if I am concerned about using their product, then just don’t.
After that, the conversation just deteri
I’ve been working the past couple of months on doing some testing on various smoke fluids.
What I’d really like to do is a TGA, thermogravimetric analysis, which heats the sample up and measures the weight change while doing so. This would be very valuable data for smoke fluid, as it would allow you to see at what temperature the bulk of the oil is boiling off. You would also be able to see what percent mass remains after reaching the operating temperature of the smoke unit.
Unfortunately, I don’t have access to a working TGA. The one we have is about 30 years old, hasn’t been used in 15, may or may not have all the parts, and either we don’t have or just can’t locate any literature. I’ve been meaning to look into it and see if I can figure something out, but just haven’t had time.
Once I finish everything I plan on doing, I’m going to write it up and submit it to CTT.
The difference of opinions is very interesting… I think I might stick to what I have for now. I just use Lionel fluid in my MPC UP steamer and my 2037 postwar steamer (only a few drops at a time) currently.
I have had similar experiences to what Don has experienced. I tried the other fluid, but I feel much better about the manufacturers’ fluids. Due to past events, I won’t go into detail on the third party fluid. I always feel like someone is watching me in these smoke fluid threads. Please be careful when discussing smoke fluid elsewhere.
If you ever do get to make those measurements, make sure that there are no fluctuations in the space time continuum when you run your test.
Chief - the lighting only effect the color of the smoke, not the volume.
I will say that the JT smoke does not hang in the air like the MTH or Lionel does. I don’t have to have on the exhaust fans to run my trains.
Tom,
Not disputing, but that was part of what got me initially thinking about it. If it isn’t suspended then it is heavier, and landing on the layout, cars, tracks etc., in a higher volume. Which may be very advantageous in a space with limited ventilation. Each may have environmental desire.