Hi:
I love smoke because it gives a sense of realism and added action. That's why I want to see advances in smoke unit technology. Some sort of black smoke would also be interesting.
Bob C.
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Hi:
I love smoke because it gives a sense of realism and added action. That's why I want to see advances in smoke unit technology. Some sort of black smoke would also be interesting.
Bob C.
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1:30 into the video shows why I love toy train smoke units.Unfortunately,my Dad informing me that the smoke effect is vaporized oil that coats everything nearby with the oil took some of the fun out of it.I still have to run all my steam engines with the smoke units on,it just looks too cool.
Dan
Dan986:
Your dad was basically right. But I run smoke all the time and have had no noticeable problem with oil coatings. At any rate nothing will stop me from running smoke. It does help if you have a well ventlated train room,however.
Bob C.
Hi:
I love smoke because it gives a sense of realism and added action. That's why I want to see advances in smoke unit technology. Some sort of black smoke would also be interesting.
Bob C.
Why black smoke? It is my understanding that white smoke was the sign of a "good fire"...black the sign of a poorly tended fire or poor quality coal. Comments?
While you are correct, I have seen many motion and other pics of steamers blowing black. it would just be an added trinket to be able to generate black smoke when appropriate to simulate what real trains did.
Bob C.
I like smoke because it is an additional moving, dynamic feature of the toy train that is fun. To me it does not make the loco look more authentic or realistic: I've never seen smoke from a toy train that looked realistic, rolling out in slowly dispersing billows that roil and twist away slowly as do real-world 1:1 clouds of smoke). It's just fun. That said, I seldom run with smoke on, because of the odor, which my wife finds very objectionable even in small doses.
I like white smoke, but in small doses. It means a well-fired locomotive. I don't think I would care for black smoke, although it is a staple of fan trip run-bys. A couple of my PW locomotives blow smoke rings, which is rare on the prototype, but is very cool and oh-so-postwar. BTW, I have asthma, but the smoke never bothers me....the gunk in outside air is much worse.
I have done work on developing a more realistic smoke pattern which curved back and over the train but I burned out a smoke unit or two doing it. Nonetheless an interesting sight.
I have given thought to an animated smoke feature which then could be made very realistic.
Bob C.
If you have health issues that can interfere with the enjoyment of the smoking engines feature, I can understand why you would not use this function. Otherwise, who doesn't like the smoke effect? I have not met any. I use it all the time.
I like smoke because it is an additional moving, dynamic feature of the toy train that is fun. To me it does not make the loco look more authentic or realistic: I've never seen smoke from a toy train that looked realistic, rolling out in slowly dispersing billows that roil and twist away slowly as do real-world 1:1 clouds of smoke). It's just fun. That said, I seldom run with smoke on, because of the odor, which my wife finds very objectionable even in small doses.
Lee; I think you need a new wife! Or maybe a ventilation fan.
Seriously, I run smoke most of the time running steamers, but diesels not so much.
I just think it looks so much more realistic and adds to the enjoyment. Visitors are knocked out by smoking locomotives. I mean they love the smoke; not that they are overcome and need resuscitation.
Just my .02 worth.
Rod
Since I like steam, I like my steamers to smoke. They just look better that way.
Andy
Well a nice clean stack is always a good sight...black....ehhh not so much...
That depends Go to 3:20
Lee, have you tried NADA from JTMegasteam? It brought smoke back into my operations. Great product.
Smoke is one of the cool effects of model trains. It's just like the sounds, lights, etc. It all adds to the experience and fun.
For those with wives who object to the smell, have you tried scented smoke fluid. Cinnamon is very nice.
Bob C.
Black smoke wouldn't be as dynamic or as visually stunning as white smoke. I wouldn't sweat it.
Back in the 40's my grandpa was an engineer for the NYC.Let me tell you.. those guys were very COARSE and HARDENED.He said people would always complain about the smoke.He worked out of a very large yard in Cleveland called the Collin wood yard.The entire yard seemed like night time at noon.He told people "those stacks aren't pumping out smoke,there pumping out paychecks"There were 3,000 people working there then.Now CSX has 8.If your wife is complaining,give her some money to go shopping.I will fill my whole basement up with smoke...I love the smell... LOL
I love a great smoking steam engine. The black is a bit more dramatic.
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