Lionel 2026 smoke: pill or fluid?

[trains2353]

Can I use smoke fluid in an early('47-'48) 2026?

Smoke unit works great, but don't want to ruin it with fluid.

[BigAl 956]

As long as this is not the light-bulb type smoke unit you can use fluid in a pill smoke unit. I prefer to do a proper liquid smoke conversion to get the best results but fluid works fine too.

[rtraincollector]

Personally I prefer kepping the pill type as with that ( as long not bulb type and don't think any 2026's where) you can use either in them just don't put to much or you will have fluid all over the track and whats under it.

[Postwar Paul]

Hello trains2353,

 I have the 2026 (early), and I use smoke fluid in it. It has the original smoker. Just about 3 drops only. Mine blows smoke rings !

Enjoy !

Paul

[Firelock76]

Both Big Al and rtraincollector are correct, I use smoke fluid in unmodified Lionel smoke units, although I clean them out first and replace the fiber pads in them if needed. Many old smoke units are crudded up as they didn't get too much attention.  About ten drops is usually all you need to get the action started.  Some may say more, some may say less, but ten works for me.

[KRM]

Yep I use fluid in all my smoke units with an element and not the bulb. Not a problem.

[trains2353]

Mine doe not have the bulb, so I will try a few drops of MTH fluid. When I got the engine((eBay), must have had the remains of a pill in it, as it smoked like a modern engine. That's why I asked as I have no pills. Anyone still make them?

[Firelock76]

I think they're still made, but from what I've seen at train shows they ain't cheap, about $15 a bottle with the Lionel label, and the ones I've seen look new, they don't ave the look of aged Lionel artefacts.

The last new smoke pills I bought were some made by K-Line about 20 years ago.  I don't remember what they cost but they're certainly out of production and unavailable by now.  Don't know what they were made of but they worked very well in my old 2018 steamer.

Lots of different smoke fluids out there, I prefer JT's Mega-Steam, the coffee scented variety to be specific.  It really does smell like coffee!  Amazing!

[rtraincollector]

They sell them on ebay ( like what isn't ? right?)

[ADCX Rob]

Firelock76

I think they're still made...

They are made in Georgia by Trainz, available HERE.

[cwburfle]

It's true that plenty of people use liquid smoke in their postwar Lionel pellet smoke units. I guess its a matter of personal preference.
I prefer pellets.

The stuff made by Trainz works well, and has the correct smell.

I've tried the stuff made by Kline years ago. I did not care for the odor at all. I still see it offered for sale from time to time at train shows.
I have a few bottles of the Kline pellets, just as a curiosity.
Someone made replacement smoke stuff in a crystaline format. It came in a little pouch. I've never had any, and have no idea how it works or smells.

To each their own!

[trains2353]

 A quick off topic question: when I respond to a post, my response doesn't show up. Is that normal, or am I doing something wrong?

TIA,

Bob

[BigAl 956]

trains2353

A quick off topic question: when I respond to a post, my response doesn't show up. Is that normal, or am I doing something wrong?

Are you new to the site? Newbies often have to have thier first posts reviewed before they are OKd for publication.

[BigAl 956]

cwburfle

The stuff made by Trainz works well, and has the correct smell.

Yes the new reproduction smoke pellets seem to work well. I would reccomend not using original smoke pellets from ebay as they are at this point collectable and for display rather than actual funtional smoke pellets.

If you want more smoke I recomend a liquid smoke conversion kit you can readily find on ebay by searching 'Lionel smoke kit' I also use Mega-steam brand fluid. 

The proof is in the video they say, here is a link to my layout. Catch the smoke output of my steam loomotives near the beginning. Both are running with liquid smoke conversions with Mega-steam fluid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ier9e7Pp1o

[ADCX Rob]

If you want more smoke I recommend NOT doing the liquid smoke conversion.  It limits you to liquid only, and the elements burn out quicker and typically must be kept wet or turned off(which postwar engines do not have a provision for). I also use Mega-steam brand fluid. 

The proof is in the video they say, here is a link to my Christmas layout. Catch the smoke output of my 726RR(736 w/o MagneTraction) steam locomotive running with original pellet heater & Mega-steam fluid... much better than any liquid conversion.

[trains2353]

Yeah, very new. I am responding; just doesn't show it on my view.

[BigAl 956]

Yes, have to agree, deffinately a lot of smoke.

[Papa_D]

There is an article in the January 2003 CTT entitled “The Secrets of Smoke” with a subtitle “What it’s made from and how it works” by Joseph H. Lechner. The initial smoke pellets produced in 1946 to work with the bulb heater were ammonium nitrate. These pellets can actually be somewhat dangerous and should not be used today. This design was quickly replaced the following year by the resistance heater and meta-terphenyl pellets. This material is a waxy solid that was primarily used as an electrical insulator in high-voltage transformers. MPC bought the rights to the manufacturing process in 1970 and produced them until 1973. Lionel began using smoke fluids in 1957. Smoke fluids are oils of varying viscosity with each manufacture adding their own proprietary additional ingredients.

 

Papa D

[Firelock76]

Nice video ACDX Rob!  That's just about how my post-war steamers smoke with smoke fluid.  Again, I make sure they're cleaned out of old crud and replace the fiber pads as needed.  I'm not sure what's in Mega-Steam but I'm sure a lot of it is water, leave it out in the cold and it freezes!  However, it's OK again when it thaws.

[KRM]

I am with you Rob, No liquid conversions for me, why limit your options if you don't need to. Never had a problem with liquid in a pill unit,,yet.

[rtraincollector]

KRM

I am with you Rob, No liquid conversions for me, why limit your options if you don't need to. Never had a problem with liquid in a pill unit,,yet.

Ditto

[trains2353]

Thanks for all the responses. I think I'll try and stick with the pills. The first time a ran it, I was impressed with the smoke output! Must have has some leftover pill in there.

[Penny Trains]

Just be careful with them.  I bought this 2035 over the summer and had a heck of a time unclogging an ancient pellet or four from the stack:

Becky

[cwburfle]

trains2353

Thanks for all the responses. I think I'll try and stick with the pills. The first time a ran it, I was impressed with the smoke output! Must have has some leftover pill in there.

 

The biggest issue with pellet type smoke units is overfilling. Make certain one pellet is used up before adding another. As you've noticed, often there is left over material when the locomotive is turned off. That material will create smoke the next time the train is used.
Adding a pellet too soon, and overfilling the smoke unit will reduce the amount of smoke created because the heater will not be able to get the stuff hot enough.
Lionel warned about this in their instructions.

So, as Becky wrote: be careful.

[trains2353]

Thanks for the info. It's still smoking ok, and I didn't get pills yet.

I'd like to get some with the original scent.