Has anyone come up with a decent replacement for the early (lamp based) smoke pellets? I'd just as soon leave my new/old 2020 in factory trim, but it would be nice to have smoke a-smoking...
Mitch
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Lionel in 1947 came out with the SP type smoke pellet which I have used in the 2020 & 671 type bulb locos. The same precautions apply with regard to use & storage/moving - the material spills when hot & in liquid form, BUT it is non-toxic.
I have also used smoke fluid in these engines, placing a fiberglass wick/wadding from a 2025 type unit under the bulb to hold the fluid.
ADCX Rob posted:Lionel in 1947 came out with the SP type smoke pellet which I have used in the 2020 & 671 type bulb locos. The same precautions apply with regard to use & storage/moving - the material spills when hot & in liquid form, BUT it is non-toxic.
I have also used smoke fluid in these engines, placing a fiberglass wick/wadding from a 2025 type unit under the bulb to hold the fluid.
OK, just tried it!
Whaddaya know! It woiks!
Mitch
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Didn't that doc warn you not to be smoking? 
SO glad you are back in action! 
In regards to using smoke fluid and adding more fluid on a hot bulb, I would be concerned that the glass on the bulb might crack. I have no experience on this, so this concern may or may not be a problem. Has anyone had a problem with the bulb cracking because you added oil on a hot bulb?
Actually, maybe?? I never considered how it happened!
I had an unusual, long, dimpled bulb with a screw base in an early Marx Commodore Vanderbilt. I've never heard of another with smoke, I sure wish I had kept the remainder of the garbage., It's unpainted housing turned to rust dust, but the bulb could have proven it's existence even cracked open right on the dimple.
Of course if the bulb is cooled a bit it should be fine, the pellets melt onto a oily fluid too
If I understand you right, you are looking for the smoke pellets? They have been re-issued by 'TRAINZ.com. A jar is available for $14.95. We have in stock at the store . Harry 
Thanks, all! 
Adriatic: That locomotive has been smoking since 1946, and IT'S going strong! 
Jonny: YMMV, but I only add fluid with the power off, which should allow a bit of time for the bulb to cool.
Harry: The Trainz re-release of the smoke pellets is for the second version, which works on the nichrome heating element. This loco runs on the first version, which, as far as I know, has not been re-released.
Mitch
Mitch- There is one listing on Ebay right now for a tin of 196 smoke pellets for only $150.00! For that price I would take my chances on the current smoke pellets working for your engine. IMO I think the current pellets will work just fine as they just need a heat source to work and it should not matter if it is a smoke bulb or heating wire.
N5CJonny posted:Mitch- There is one listing on Ebay right now for a tin of 196 smoke pellets for only $150.00! For that price I would take my chances on the current smoke pellets working for your engine. IMO I think the current pellets will work just fine as they just need a heat source to work and it should not matter if it is a smoke bulb or heating wire.
$150? More than I spent for the loco, that. ;-)
As I understand it, the main problem with using the smoke bulb is that it doesn't get as hot as the heating wires do; thus, the 196 pellets have a more volatile (and toxic) formula...and the SP pellets and smoke fluid, while they work, don't produce as much smoke.
Mitch
THE SMOKE PELLETS ARE BAD IN A SMOKE BULB LIONEL ENGINE THEY RUN DOWM THE SIDE AND CLOGG UP THE SMOKE UNIT DONT USE THEM.
kenv posted:THE SMOKE PELLETS ARE BAD IN A SMOKE BULB LIONEL ENGINE THEY RUN DOWM THE SIDE AND CLOGG UP THE SMOKE UNIT DONT USE THEM.
Noted! Thanks, I'll stick to fluid, then!
Mitch- There is one listing on Ebay right now for a tin of 196 smoke pellets for only $150.00! For that price I would take my chances on the current smoke pellets working for your engine. IMO I think the current pellets will work just fine as they just need a heat source to work and it should not matter if it is a smoke bulb or heating wire.
There is very little chance of an original package of 196 smoke pellets being viable. They were packaged in plastic containers with a tight lid because they would break down due to moisture in the air.
The pellets were corrosive, and toxic. Hard to imagine that anybody would try to make reproductions or that anybody would try to use them.
Last I knew, book value on an empty, clean 196 pellet container was around $40. I have no idea what price they bring these days.
