I have a brick works on my HO scale layout and I would like to simulate smoke coming from the chimney. I currently have a Seuthe oil burning unit installed which works well but I dislike the smell and oily residue distributed onto the layout. Does anyone make a water vapor smoke/steam generator (like a small humidifier) suitable for HO scale? Any ideas anyone?
I suspect that if you get enough water vapor output to look anywhere near decent, you're gonna have one soggy layout real soon.
I don't think it's gonna be worth the aggravation, either way.
Ed
I have heard of some modelers using water diffusers or glycerin-based fog machines in miniature.
This site might get you started:
https://www.instructables.com/id/An-Inexpensive-Smoke-Fog-Generator/
I have one of those glycerin type fog generators I use to make photos of foggy scenes. I suppose you could use a guide tube to direct the fog out of a chimney.
Maybe you could try a Dragon Puffer Wizard Stick?
http://www.incrediblescience.com/wizard-stick-professional-dragon-puffer.html
I agree about the heating element type smoke unit. Too stinky, too oily.
Good Luck, Ed
gmpullmanI have heard of some modelers using water diffusers or glycerin-based fog machines in miniature. This site might get you started: https://www.instructables.com/id/An-Inexpensive-Smoke-Fog-Generator/
Hi Ed,
Thanks for the link to the smoke simulator tutorial. It is very well done.
I have to admit that I am not a fan of simulated smoke in general. Anything that I have seen in HO scale just turns me off. Dave Bodnar's generator produces a more realistic volume of smoke, although it doesn't 'billow' quite like the real thing. It did look better when there was a bit of air movement to disburse the smoke.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Hi, Dave
I'm with you in the opinion that the anemic output of the typical smoke unit isn't worth much in the realism department. When I visit some of the area train shows there always seems to be a group of Lionel/LGB types there that burn that smoke oil by the gallon. It actually makes the floor slippery around the tables where they have the trains running.
I wanted to simulate foggy atmosphere for doing "photo shoots" and I got one of those Halloween fog generators and that thing really pumps out the vapor.
IMG_3627 by Edmund, on Flickr
But the photo results are very convincing.
IMG_3629 by Edmund, on Flickr
IMG_3599_fix by Edmund, on Flickr
After running this fog unit for a while I haven't found any odour or residue of any kind.
Cheers, Ed
I saw a posting recently on another board where a guy used a E-cigarette vaporizer to make smoke. Very effective. He had a youtube on how he did it.
Paul D
N scale Washita and Santa Fe RailroadSouthern Oklahoma circa late 70's
PED I saw a posting recently on another board where a guy used a E-cigarette vaporizer to make smoke. Very effective. He had a youtube on how he did it.
Sounds like a rehash of the old "use a cigarette" approach from the past. Probably looks pretty good too -- whatever they use in those things makes vapor like mad.
If you're using it for mainly photos, adding it after the fact is an option (e.g. photoshop).
-Dan
Builder of Bowser steam! Railimages Site
Would a few smoke units from 1950's post war lionel be usefull? They used those hard pellets. Also in Garden Railways this month there is an article on how to use inscents to make a thick smoke. Including how to build the chamber
Wolfie
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
My concern about ANY type of smoke generator is that the smoke is producing particles into the air and those particles must land somewhere. I don't like the idea of those particles landing on my scenery and making them harder to clean nor on my tracks making them harder to keep clean. I am OK with an occasional use for a special occasion but not for frequent use.
I’ve seen people use cotton batting to make smoke. You might try that. I use it for clouds.
Here are some pictures on Pinteristhttps://www.pinterest.com/pin/209980401355504986/?lp=true
Check out this link: https://spikeybits.com/2014/10/hobby-how-to-make-explosions-smoke.html
THOSE are some interesting links, Lone Wolf. The good old flickering tea lights.
Mike.
My You Tube