Does the Lionel Remote Control Smoke Fluid work or does it need modifications?

I saw one of these in action, but IMO it's more of a gimmick than a useful accessory.

I had one and never used it.  It worked just fine but the height of scale locomotives made it only useful for semi-scale.   I practiced with it many times but I had a difficult time getting it to line up with the fill point on the locomotives.

Rixtrak, Could you have raised the entire structure or would've that ruined the look or otherwise not been feasbile? About how much would it need to be raised to accommodate scale steamers?

@Paul Kallus posted:

Rixtrak, Could you have raised the entire structure or would've that ruined the look or otherwise not been feasbile? About how much would it need to be raised to accommodate scale steamers?

I can't remember the height difference but it couldn't be more than 3/4 inch in most cases.   My layout is a post war like without landscaping or modeling.  Hiding the elevation wouldn't have been something that would have gone unnoticed.  

@Paul Kallus I have one of these and I like it!  But it really depends up on what it is you're looking for.  Sometimes I use it, sometimes I don't.  Let me attempt to explain, offer some tips, short steam and diesel engine video's, and address whether modifications are needed.

1) If you're only goal is to use it to re-fill the smoke fluid:

• Don't bother, save the money
• It is faster to fill it yourself and get on down the line

2) If you're goal is to re-fill and add operating value/something else to do (like any other accessory):

• I think it's great for steam engines!  It's fun to operate.  My wife, kids (we have 8), and visitors think it's pretty neat!
• For me, it has been pretty easy to figure out how to line it up.  Steam engine smoke stacks are easier to use
• Obviously a facility that drops something into a smoke stack isn't "realistic", but it's still fun and another thing to do
• If you have log loaders, saw mills, etc. you already know that sometimes those require some manual intervention.  Sometimes the smoke fluid loader will need to be nudged closer to the track, or if you engines vary a lot in height you may need to adjust the height (maybe put small pieces of wood under the front or back, etc.), but it seems most of the engines I have are similar in height.  Also, if you're using the same engine(s), put a marker near the track so you know the best place to stop for those engines

I made a short steam engine video and diesel video (these are unlisted, you need the link below).  Mine was set up in haste on a curve a couple years ago to try it out and I never moved it.  Perhaps its easier on a straight, perhaps the curve makes it easier to align...not sure.  Why are there bubbles when first started?  Could be the O-ring on the boom I have needs to be replaced, or it could simply be that the fluid goes back a bit due to gravity and no internal valve.  The diesel video intentionally has a small smoke stack to demonstrate how it can work (sorry I didn't video pulling it up).  I had both these set up to work in 30 seconds each and didn't have to move the facility when I pulled the diesel up to it.

3) Modifcations

• The early versions, which I have, required some modifications and I think this post may be helpful Lionel Smoke fluid Loader/Use (the inventor of it asked for feedback and there's a discussion of the fix.  The forum member I purchased mine from had made the revisions (see picture)...see "fuel" lines and the green cable ties, and I think he added the wall bracing.
• I think the subsequent versions were corrected (sorry, I don't know when)

4) General Comments, Tips

• Be sure to prime it.  I don't think the manual I have tells you how to do that.  It's on the Lionel website (Priming the Smoke Fluid Loader) and in the initial forum post in 3) above.
• When I primed mine, I had to push down the small black pipe that comes out the top a little, but that is probably specific to my situation
• The priming steps can also be used to empty the tank.
• This would be really hard to use with any engine that you cannot creep slowly forward or reverse, and unless you are incredibly patient it's not worth buying it if you can't move you're engine forward in reverse slowly.  The steam engine in the video is an MTH PS2 engine and the diesel is a Lionel Legacy GP7.
• Diesel engines:  You will want the height of the boom pretty close to avoid making a mess.  If you had diesels the same height, adjusted it, and the opening is big enough, it can work...steam engines are just so much easier...see both video's to see the difference (sorry I didn't record the diesel pulling up).  Again, I chose a diesel with a small stack to demonstrate that it can work with a small stack, but it is more of challenge than a steam engine.
• I see there are some posts if you search on Smoke Fluid Loader or Lionel Smoke Fluid Loader, but I don't have recommended one since I didn't look at them in detail.  I did see this post listed an interesting DIY version someone sells to modify a water tower Lionel Smoke Fluid Loader??
• If you read other posts, lots of people gave up on this accessory, so be sure and take that into consideration.  Again, I like it, but I view it as any other accessory (let's face it, play value) and all things considered, I'm happy with it.

Hope that helps