Lionel Smoke Fluid

Have you tried any of this brand of smoke fluid? Cheaper than Lionel, comes in bigger bottles and is pretty much tried and true.http://www.megasteam.com/

 If you insist on Lionel fluid heres some  http://www.charlesro.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CRSC&Product_Code=L37841&Category_Code=OLSM

The Lionel Premium fluid is readily available directly from the LionelStore.com website (You'll find it under 'Accessories'.). I use either that or MegaSteam fluid. Both of which are excellent smoke fluids. (And MegaSteam comes in a variety of great flavours too.)

As far as them going off over time, well they are all volatile liquids, so in time the lighter elements will evaporate away. But this takes a considerable time, and is unlikely to be a real problem. Just remember to keep the bottle properly closed, shake the bottle to mix the contents before using, and all should be well.

I found a bottle of Proto Smoke in a box of goodies. It was stored in my attic for over 20 years. I was going to toss it but decided to try a bit and it was fine. I am not saying this is always the case. It was sealed tight and in a dark box. 

Mega Steam told me at York the same thing Nicole said above. Gently shake bottle before using each time. 

The 'volatile' availability of Lionel Smoke Fluid is the prinicipal reason we (LHS) no longer order or stock it.  We gave up and went hook, line, sinker to Megasteam.  It's been an excellent seller.  We also carry Williams and MTH smoke fluids, but customers prefer the Megasteam once they've tried it.  We also carry the smoke pellets (Trainz).

Megasteam.

KD

Curious, but I find the earlier Lionel fluid (6-62909) to work better than the newer "Premium" fluid. 

I should mention that I usually alternate fillings with JT's most excellent "Mega-Steam" (NADA). 

All of the smoke fluids for O gauge engines with the exception of Williams use a more viscous oil than the MUCH lighter fluid designed for Seuthe units.

LGB and Seuthe smoke fluids will vaporize too quickly in Lionel or MTH units and produce a thinner smoke than the Lionel, MTH, or Mega-Steam fluids.

The latter fluids should NEVER be used in Seuthe units such as those in LGB or Williams engines, as they pose a real risk of burning out the heater element!

JT's Mega-Steam proudly states that "it is safe for use in all smoke units in all manufacturers in all scales from Z to Live Steam!" We have tested and continually re-test all types of smoke units including the Seuthe units on our layout. We design and engineer our smoke fluid viscosity (thickness) to be such that it will work in all of these units. We have many Seuth-type customers around the world who use our product and find that it works great...just the way we designed it to work. The biggest rule to follow with the Seuth units is not to overfill the unit, which would overheat the element. And DO NOT run the unit without smoke fluid or the unit will burn out. Usually about 8-10 drops. BTW, the live steamers use our product in the special order GALLON size to make their steamers smell just like real!

Thanks for allowing us to chime in on the topic.

JT's Mega-Steam

"World's finest smoke fluid!"

www.megasteam.com

I have run Megasteam smoke fluid in all the major brands "Including" seuthe units with no problems at all. So long as you don't pour a half gallon down the stack you'll be fine.