@LionelAG posted:I’d like to get a feeling from other Lionel Legacy Engine owners on the performance of their smoke output. Most of my engines are steam with the exceptions being 2 GG-1. Although not an owner of any, I understand MTH locomotives really put out the smoke.
Adding smoke fluid:
- 20 drops is the recommended amount per all the owner’s manuals. Some engines require about double (40 drops) to get going if they are bone dry I find that with our Legacy locos, about 25 drops is the proper amount once the unit has been filled and run previously.
- A whole squeeze dropper (delivered with a Lionel locomotive) is about 50 drops. This is probably about what is needed the first fill as the wick is bone dry. I actually use 40 instead of 50. I then use 25 for future fillings.
- What’s the real consequence of overfilling? Smoke fluid getting everywhere inside of your loco's electronics.
- Adding drop-by-drop vs. squeezing a full dropper in. I use a needle-point filler and do it slowly. The needle allows me to get the fluid down into the batting (unless the smoke unit has a offset funnel) and that ensures that the smoke fluid doesn't creep and travel along pathways that it shouldn't. I also find that letting the unit sit for a while after filling produces better smoke than say filling and immediately running. Not tremendously better but slightly.
- I hear there is a lot of variability in visible smoke unit output. Is this true? If so, why? The arrangement of the batting to allow maximum airflow as well as the path (straight or having to flow through an offset funnel) can impact the flow of smoke out of the stack,
- Is it okay to run the smoke units dry? And is it best to shut the smoke unit off when it is out of smoke fluid or does it even matter? Not good to do. The batting will char and no longer be absorbent and properly wick the fluid up to the heating element.
- How much do you really need to baby these units for long life and efficiency? Even in the best of conditions, I've come to grips with the fact that a smoke unit requires some regular attention. Swapping out the batting is usually not a demanding task. The nature of a super-hot element against the batting is going to produce some level of charring.
- How much run time between adding more smoke fluid will you typically have with a smoke unit on high? 10 mins? 30 mins? 60 mins? How variable is this? On high, 10 min. might sound close to what I see. Some say to let the unit cool a bit before refilling as the cold fluid hitting the hot element can cause it to crystalize. Not sure if this is true but I recall it being said.
- Is there a difference in the handling of smoke units for a Diesel/Electric vs. Steam Locomotive? No.
Are there any NoNo’s for modern Lionel smoke units that I need to take into consideration? I choose to use Lionel Premium as I find it just produces the most smoke. However, many swear by JT's as well.
Just trying to learn best practices for my stable of beauties! Any feedback is appreciated.
