Alternative to Smoke Oil

Novel and safer method of producing steam exhaust with actual water vapor! I like it!

So what happens when you turn over the locomotive and water goes all over underneath the shell?

I think this technology has been used in RC vehicles for some time. I'm not sure if the beneifits outweigh the risks in model trains.

At the lower voltages found in model trains, distilled water is essentially non-conductive, if you keep it clean.  It's the free ions found in most water that conduct electricity.

Distilled water would be a given.

I am pretty sure that is how the Thomas and Friends Steam N' Speed locomotives work.

John

Long on hype, short on technical details.  I don't know why people that do videos have to yack on and on and not get to the point!

Pure speculation here to move the conversation forward:  Seems like maybe this could be done using a small piezo-electric transducer; similar to the way one is used in a typical humidifier.  Maybe power it with an ultrasonic frequency.  Thoughts?

i think that realistic smoke is in the eye of the beholder. i see no real difference between this water smoke and oil smoke.

@SteveH posted:

Pure speculation here to move the conversation forward:  Seems like maybe this could be done using a small piezo-electric transducer; similar to the way one is used in a typical humidifier.  Maybe power it with an ultrasonic frequency.  Thoughts?

Tried a piezo fog transducer for a project at work, the fog went up a few inches but basically tumbled down to ground level as in

the video halfway down this page.

https://smile.amazon.com/FITNA...amp;sr=8-36&th=1

might work in an engine with a forced fan to blow it out, but you'd have to find the sweet spot.

@AlanRail posted:

i think that realistic smoke is in the eye of the beholder. i see no real difference between this water smoke and oil smoke.

I also don't seem much difference. But I like the idea of water vapor because I enjoy model railroads with smoke and this could mean more smoke at model railroads everywhere.

I sure am curious how it works though!

And NO lipids from mineral oils for folks with suseptible conditions to breathe into their lungs! :-)

It would be interesting to know the electrical consumption for steam versus smoke fluid.  I suspect steam requires more power.

The steam might be quite impressive if run in freezing temperatures where you get the the thick, white, billowing cloud effect. (The advantages of an unheated train room or outdoor model railroading.)

Distilled water vapor would be healthier than mineral oil vapor, but there would be a question of how much humidity would be added to the train room especially with several steam locos running at the same time.

@PGentieu posted:

It would be interesting to know the electrical consumption for steam versus smoke fluid.  I suspect steam requires more power.

The model shown is OO scale (basically HO), so I am guessing that power would not be a concern. If you didn't catch it at the start of the video, this is a conversion kit.

@RickO posted:

So what happens when you turn over the locomotive and water goes all over underneath the shell?

I think this technology has been used in RC vehicles for some time. I'm not sure if the beneifits outweigh the risks in model trains.

So, what happens when you turn the loco over and smoke oil goes all over underneath the shell?  I understand your concern, but, I think with careful handling (Ha!) it wouldn't  necessarily be a big problem...besides you guys just love WD40.

@Tinplate Art posted:

Distilled water vapor would be healthier than mineral oil vapor, but there would be a question of how much humidity would be added to the train room especially with several steam locos running at the same time.

This thing's not a high pressure, high capacity boiler.  Pretty sure the effects would be minimal vs a room humidifier.  Probably much less than boiling a pot of water.

Rusty

Good points. That sounds encouraging for some O gauge maker to consider. :-)

Looking into this a bit more: these atomizers are offered as conversions by TRS Trains in the UK.  They come in different scales including O gauge.

Their facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/trs.trains/

and their email is: trstrains@yahoo.com

It would be interesting to know if they sell the components for DIY conversion and price, or only as retrofits that they offer as an in house service.  Thank you @Big Jim for bringing this product to our attention.  If anyone decides to pursue this further, please let the rest of us know what you find out.

@Big Jim posted:

So, what happens when you turn the loco over and smoke oil goes all over underneath the shell?  I understand your concern, but, I think with careful handling (Ha!) it wouldn't  necessarily be a big problem...besides you guys just love WD40.

Come on Jim,lets not  just lump everybody together!

I "may" have sprayed WD-40 on my bicycle chain 40 some odd years ago , but these days I'm more of a Labelle or Mobile 1 type guy for trains.

While neither is good, I'd rather take my chances with the mineral oil on the electronics over water, distilled water is still corrosive.

@RickO  I'm with you, I'll probably stick with Smoke Oil in my locos.  Other than maybe the lady in the video, I don't think anyone here is saying that the vaporized "steam" effect is better.

For those who have individuals in their homes with sensitivities to the smoke produced by heating oil, this could be a good alternative.

@Big Jim posted:

So, what happens when you turn the loco over and smoke oil goes all over underneath the shell?  I understand your concern, but, I think with careful handling (Ha!) it wouldn't  necessarily be a big problem...besides you guys just love WD40.

I thought this was how everybody lubricated their locomotives? haha

I am not using my engines a moving humidifiers.

RickO, you missed the meaning of what I said. W (Water) D (displacement) 40 (formula #40).

@AlanRail posted:

I am not using my engines a moving humidifiers.

Much better as a moving oily rag...

Rusty

I am laughing, I first read the thread title as "Alternative to Snake Oil"; I see that I may not have been to far off!

@RickO posted:

Come on Jim,lets not  just lump everybody together!

I "may" have sprayed WD-40 on my bicycle chain 40 some odd years ago , but these days I'm more of a Labelle or Mobile 1 type guy for trains.

While neither is good, I'd rather take my chances with the mineral oil on the electronics over water, distilled water is still corrosive.

I'm with you on the corrosive issue with the water Rick.👍

Can't imagine what a steamer setting in a pan of even distilled water up to the chassis for a month or so would look like. 😨

I'm guessing there has been a lot of discussion on venting the smoke oil .     

It doesnt take a lot of air movement to clear the worst part of the smoke .   It always takes an inlet on the opposite side of the exhaust area.        Maybe not the greatest option on snowy days or damp , cold ,rainy days. 🤔

Due to the pandemic and the obvious pulmonary issues, plus my wife having had a successful liver transplant last fall, we have decided at our ages, 70 and 78, to shut off all mineral oil based smoke units for good. We have both been vaccinated, but Kay's immuno suppressive meds, and my slightly suppressed immune system due to end stage renal disease leave us no choice. Any inhalation of lipids could result in pulmonary insufficiency, not advisible in a time of global pandemic.