I was running my big boy with smoke on high and I couldn't see the other side of the room. 34 feet of smoke!!!
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I had the same happen in my shop, worried the smoke alarms were going to go off. The air conditioning was wafting it out into the mall proper. Took about ten minutes to clear.
We've had to open the doors and windows and go out to dinner!
Jon
I used to have the same problem, when I switched to J.T. Mega Steam the smoke clears very fast. I run all engines set to high smoke including the VL Bigboy. I no longer have a problem with a smoke filled room. I operate in a downstairs family room, I have no heat ducts moving air, just a fireplace with gas logs.
Bob
I often wonder what any health effects of toy train smoke might be.
I can never have too much smoke in my train room! With that said, I use Mega Steam fluid, apple pie and smoke pellet are my favorites, and the smoke isn't smoke it's oil vapor so it shouldn't set off any alarms and it disperses very quick. LOVE that stuff!!
Paul
If you have one of these, 4 smoke units
When I used MTH smoke fluid, yes I could fill the room easily. Now that I use MegaSteam I never have this issue.
No never, my WIFE usually opens up the cellar door and yells, KNOCK IT OFF!! So I shut down the smoke.
When I used MTH smoke fluid, yes I could fill the room easily. Now that I use MegaSteam I never have this issue.
Thanks Joe,
That has been our experience. Not all smoke fluids are equal. Almost all are made overseas....where quality control is what it is
Mega-Steam is proudly made right here in the U.S.A. with the highest quality materials and care so that our customers receive the best possible product. "Lots of smoke, quick dissipation, and a light pleasant scent, if you so choose."
We were founded and operate under these simple rules: "If she's not happy, you're not happy" and "Happy wife makes for happy life!" Mega-Steam has actually saved marriages and the bottom line is that the husbands (or significant others), can now run and enjoy their trains without offending others.
Mega-Steam
Proud sponsor of this forum
JT Mega-Steam does dissipate faster and has scents that don't irritate the wife which is why I run that the most. I even let the kids and the wife pick the scents to minimize any complaints.
I find that the Lionel Premium fluid is as good or better for some of my engines including non-fan units producing the smoke from the stack, but it lingers much longer in the air and no one likes the smell of it.
It doesn't bother me, but it could easily fill up a room if a windows, fan, or AC unit is not recycling the air.
Heh, Had company and smoked up the Den last night. Was running Coal Fired Steamer from Megasteam, and got the comment, "That Stinks!" from the niece.
I replied, It's what a Coal Fired Steam engine smells like. But I did shut off the smoke at that point.
The kids enjoyed it as do I.
I can understand "Coal Fired" scent being unpleasant along with "Diesel" so I purposely don't choose scents like that. I'm not trying to model "scent". Just trying to make the vapor that comes out of the stack less offensive so I can run with "smoke on". Go for scents that people will like.
Some favorites so far:
Vanilla
Hot Chocolate
Cinnamon Buns
My theory is that if it's a steamer, it ought to be smoking. I have been using JT MegaSteam for a long time. It generates a nice smoke level (good), and it dissapates quickly (also good).
If I really want to cloud up the place I'll use some Lionel Premium. Great smoke but it does hang around alot longer. Nice effect to use once in a while.
Neither choice of smoke is a problem as my layout is in an out building.
As for any possible unknown health effects I figure that hey, I am 68 uears old and have had a lot of fun over the years (60’s and 70's especially). If that hasn't layed me low than I really don't give model train smoke a passing thought.��
Ed
I use JTs as well and I've been known to create my own weather.
However, the wife complains a bit, so I don't do it often.
I set off the smoke alarm at my old apartment with my MTH Pennsy Turbine S-2. First ever MTH engine and I was so thrilled with the high output I had no idea it could produce a Cheech and Chong effect.
I used to more often. My fiancé can't handle the smoke, she is OK with Nada for short amounts of time. The other day though, I wasn't thinking. I ran my Legacy Southern Crescent with whistle steam, lashed up to my Mil Road F3 A-B, and my Mil Road GP38. All legacy engines, all with the smoke on High. Things were getting hazy. I felt bad after I remembered how much the future Mrs. can't handle it. But it was fun while it lasted.
No never, my WIFE usually opens up the cellar door and yells, KNOCK IT OFF!! So I shut down the smoke.
LOL Mine is a very sensitive smoke detector. Her alarm goes off at the slightest hint. Funny, I never complain about her burnt offerings.
Bruce
I only turn on the smoke if I am running outside on the picnic table in the summer time. Our rooms are small and one locomotive will fill it up and set off the smoke detector in a heartbeat.
I have smoked out the whole house running 4 or 5 Legacy engines at one time on high smoke setting. Use JT's Cinnamon Roll, Baking Bread or Apple Harvest. Usually turn it all off after 30 minutes or so as the eyes start to burn. The wife doesn't mind, although once in awhile she will say what scent is that? Time to turn it off.
I only receive complaints if I am using the coal scent. But sometimes I just have to have that smoke.
- Greg
I had to stop using smoke after a few times because it was setting off my smoke detectors and ADT did not like that.
been their done that, looked like a Cheech & Chong movie, Up in Model Train Smoke
Have I ever smoked out my train room •Yes • The room does has a ceiling exhaust fan. This does help, If I have small children over I turn the smoke units off.
No never, my WIFE usually opens up the cellar door and yells, KNOCK IT OFF!! So I shut down the smoke.
Does an old shoe come flying down after the shout?
If so I think my wife and your wife have been talking...
J Daddy,
With that shoe problem it sounds as if you might be a good candidate for one of our newer scents:
LEATHER OBSESSION! LOL!
Absolutely not. Knew this could be a problem before construction and installed an excellent ventilation system that removes the excess smoke very quickly.
I am enjoying the amount of smoke JT's puts out in my modified postwar 2056.
Question: What do you do when you change scents? Do you simply add something different (no mixture smell?) or do you use a dose of Eliminator in-between?
I am enjoying the amount of smoke JT's puts out in my modified postwar 2056.
Question: What do you do when you change scents? Do you simply add something different (no mixture smell?) or do you use a dose of Eliminator in-between?
Rick,
The fastest way to change scents is to use Eliminator to cleanse the smoke unit. Then, you can add the new scent and you are good to go. If you chose not to use Eliminator, the transition time will be longer...it will eventually change over, but only after several filling cycles. Eliminator was originally designed to eliminate the bad smell from overseas priming that is done with poor quality smoke fluid at the factories. It is also very helpful in transitioning from one scent to another as outlined above.
Thanks for the question.
Mega-Steam
Oh Yah!
Had the visit from upstairs on a few occasions; and what they say is very true
she not happy, me not happy
r0d
And don't run a dryer full of clothes while dem trains is a runnin with smoke!
Bill
I guess it was 1999. I had a 6'-6"X8' temporary layout setup in the living room. Had just picked up my MTH PRR Centipede with four MTH smoke units. In no time all the smoke alarms in the house were blaring, even the one at the far end of the house.
Ron
I smoked up my layout room once. I never turn the smoke on any engines now.
Joe
EASY with MTH smoke units!
I gotta recalibrate the injectors in these guys. Making my eyes water.