I have a question about smoke units.

[CrossTrack Trains]

I have a couple of older trains with smoke units which I have never operated, and do not have instructions for. Do you just put some smoke fluid in the stack or is it more complex than this?

[Anonymous]

Nope, it's as simple as that. Just put it in the stack. I'm in the process of removing the smoke units from some of my older Bachmann units with smoke. When you run them without smoking, they tend to overheat and smell.

[cheese3]

They also melt the smoke stack over time and the one i had in my bachmann 0-6-0 leaked and gunked up everything and it will not run now[censored][:(]

[Anonymous]

Who ever came up with smoke units ought to be hung!... They look cool and all when they're new, but the oil smoke is really bad for your health and coats your layout with a layer of oil.

trainluver1

[countershot]

well now i am glad my new challenger does not have smoke.

[Javern]

how do they work, a heat coil down in the stack and track voltage heats up the coil?

[Anonymous]

Javern,
Yup, just that simple. Some are pretty tough in that they seem to withstand overfilling and running dry better than others. An example are the G scale LGB units seem to be desired replacement units for burned out Bachmann. But that being said, take a look at your stove top and consider if you want that kind of stuff on your layout. Sometimes just because you can doesn't mean you should.

[CrossTrack Trains]

If I don't want to use the smoke unit, should I disconnect it?
Or is it fine if I just don't use it?

[Anonymous]

From what everyone is saying, you should probably disconnect it. If you run it dry, it apparently has the tendency to smell.

[Anonymous]

I think the risk of oily gunk depends on the fluid used - I have an LGB loco with smoke unit and decided to try it out last year, there were a few spots of oil on the loco after but the stuff LGB supply seems to wipe off without leaving a mark.

Don't try using WD-40 in place of proper smoke oil. That's something I learned in late childhood...

[Anonymous]

A number of smoke units have a separate switch to control when it is on. The mess from a smoke unit is directly related to amount of use. Once in a great while will probably never be noticed. Use though, will distribute what came out of the stack on the engine, trailing cars and all the stuff along the traveled rail. If you can resist everything but temptation then you need to consider very carefully. I have fond memories of Lionel sets with smoke units. I like using them but I do it outside. Want something messier? Try live steam.