Hi. I recently saw videos of some BLI diesels with smoke. While I love the concept, and would like to have a few of these, I was wondering if all (diesel as well as steam) locos' smoke looked the same? To me, what I've seen looks like cigarette smoke/swirls, rather than spent fuel. Somewhat unrealistic. Maybe I'm expecting too much, I don't know. So, are there different types of 'smoke fluid' for these engines, yielding different visual results??
Most smoke generators I have heard about contain a heating element that heats a liquid to generate the "smoke". Steam locos often contain a pulsing device that puffs the smoke.
In my estimate, these generators on no way generate smoke plumes that emulate the real thing. The only exception may be the Rapido steam generator car that has the smoke drifting out of the bottom of the car like steam escaping.
Smoke generators are not worth the bother.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
G Paine Most smoke generators I have heard about contain a heating element that heats a liquid to generate the "smoke". Steam locos often contain a pulsing device that puffs the smoke. In my estimate, these generators on no way generate smoke plumes that emulate the real thing. The only exception may be the Rapido steam generator car that has the smoke drifting out of the bottom of the car like steam escaping. Smoke generators are not worth the bother.
From what I have seen I agree with your final statement. Smoke units can look a little cool coming out of a tunnel and the rush of smoke that follows the unit, but that is about it... For the most part they look goofy.Never heard of that Rapido unit before... I ought to see if I can find a video of it.
Unless it looks like this ....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W556ur3R3B4
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
Before buying a smoke unit, make sure you see it in operation, preferably for a half-hour or more. My impression of smoke units is that the odor is pretty unpleasant and many find it physically irritating. Some leave a deposit that gets on your track and scenery as well.
I don't like cigarette smoke or driving behind a diesel truck, either, so maybe I'm just overly sensitive, but it's better to find out before you buy something like this.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Mark R.Unless it looks like this .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W556ur3R3B4 Mark.
That is the best I have ever seen, but it is #1 gauge 1/32 scale, so they have space to add a big smoke unit and a blower to get it moving.
Thx George, I tend to agree with you. But I think I might try one just the same, if I find one I like, and is affordable.
Love that video Mark. No room on my layout for these monsters!
Another issue to mention, mostly if you're in DCC. A smoke generator tends to have a significant amp draw. Make sure your decoder is up the the task or you might be buying a new decoder to repace the "smoked" one...
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I'll answer a couple of questions first, then give my opinions on this subject. Smoke from diesels is different then from steam engines. Diesel smoke is either black or blue. Black means incomplete compustion of the fuel and blue is from lubricating oil being burnt. Black smoke from steam engines is incomplete combustion of the coal or oil. White is not smoke but spent steam condensing. The "smoke" units try to emulate steam. That's why it is white. If you ever see white "smoke" blowing out of a diesels, there is a problem as there is major amount of coolent being pumped into one or more cylinders. I don't know about different types of smoke fluid. They all are made from light oils as far as I know. Different brands I think are maybe formulated a little differently and some have different scents and all produce the white smoke effect, some better then others. Just have to experiment to get the right match with the smoke unit you have.
"Smoke fluid" is mostly light oil. This light oil comes in contact with a heating element that heats it to it's vaporizing temperature, but low enough that it doesn't ignite to produce that white "smoke-steam". I have a couple of steam locomotives with smoke, but I keep the "smoke" turned of. It's not all that realistic, but over a period of time that oil vapor (smoke) will settle on everything, becomingf a dust magnet. Also I don't think breathing in oil vapor is good for your health.
Mark R. Unless it looks like this .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W556ur3R3B4 Mark.
WOW that’s much better than any American Locomotive I have seen! I really like the steam coming from under the loco.
Unfortunately, it just multiples and enforces the reason I don’t use smoke. Where is all that residue going? On your tracks, scenery, structures, other locomotives and rolling stock?
Have they invented a smoke that is clean?
Gary
gdelmoroHave they invented a smoke that is clean?
Gary, shhhhhh we don't want the EPA getting involved.
Mike.
My You Tube
Has anyone seen an ultrasonic humidifier used? That would be environmentally friendly.
Here's one in use on a layout but not in the loco.
Alan Jones in Sunny Queensland (Oz)
I believe the BLI diesel smoke units are fan-driven, which can be programmed to blow the smoke up high out of the stack. This looks fairly good, even for a diesel, if you set it up right..
Mike C.
I have a 45 year old friend that kept dropping light oil on the light bulb of one of his locos with an eye dropper which produced smoke. He called this a smoking steam loco. The bulb finally went out and his fun stopped. I tried to explain to him that if he wanted smoke that he would have to add a smoker unit to his loco but he wouldn't listen...
That said. I've seen people use cotton to simulate smoke, especially in N scale by gluing it down the smoke stack and then laying it across the top of the loco.