Has any kit to facilitate this ever existed? What about converting the smoke bulb to later style pill burner?
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I believe that both types of smoke units can be purchased as a complete kit. However, you've also got to address the actuator arm and it's associated bracket that activates the plunger "puffing" unit. Others here can provide more insight.
The general preference seems to be to the original pill burners as they were more robust than the liquid only units (which can burn out if left dry). The pill burners can take liquid as long as you limit it to just a few drops per filling.
Yes, I've had very good luck just cleaning the old pill units out and stuffing some fresh fiberglass under the element.
The original smoke pills were made from Ammonium Nitrate an oxidizer and commonly available chemical. The units smoked using it but the substance is corrosive and flammable. In simple terms its dangerous. That is why Lionel stopped using it and I wouldn't either. I see no reason why the safe low viscosity, light oil smoke fluids of today would not work but I would not put cold fluid on a hot dimpled smoke bulb. Use it cold and the fiberglass wadding under the bulb in the smoke chamber sounds like a good idea. Probably the best idea than modifying a vintage engine with a fan driven unit.
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/gasket from a 2025 type unit under the bulb to hold the fluid... saturate when cold only!
Lionel put together a kit to convert smoke bulb Berkshires to use the new heater type smoke units in 1947. It was readily available right through 1969. However today it is a desirable collectable, and rather costly. (They also made a kit for the turbines).
The Berkshire kits included a new smokestack, boiler front door, lamp socket assembly, heater type smoke unit, a gasket, a piston, smoke lever, smoke lever clamp, assorted screws, and a bottle of smoke pellets.
You can look at the kit contents and assembly instructions on the Olsens library: 726 conversion kit
Some folks say you can put some wicking material in the smoke bulb depression, and use fluid with the original smoke bulb. I have not tried that yet.
CW Burfle, THANK YOU!
Exactly the info I was looking for. Shame they're so rare/expensive.
Chris, if you are worried about the smoke bulb actually smoking, don't worry. I use current liquid smoke in the ones I have and they smoke fine. I like having the loco's in their original condition.
On a 1946 2020 turbine I used a 1" wide fiberglass tape fabric like a wick and wrapped it 2x around the bulb and secured it with wire. It keeps it original and it smokes pretty good. Can easily put a dozen drop of smoke liquid on there.
I have kept the bulb and just put a wad of wick material on top of the bulb and add smoke fluid to the wick.
works fine
Chris, if you are worried about the smoke bulb actually smoking, don't worry. I use current liquid smoke in the ones I have and they smoke fine. I like having the loco's in their original condition.
Me too. I certainly would not do a conversion. But its not my train.
