Just curious as to what some of you use as an alternative to Lionel smoke fluid and Lionel lubricating oil and why you prefer the alternative......thanks as always in advance
Tommy
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I use smoke fluid made for trains, period. Whether MTH, Lionel, or JT Mega Steam. Why spend all that money on an engine and cheap out on smoke fluid? Lionel has gone so far as to say they will not warrant a smoke unit not using their fluid. MTH as far as I know doesn't have this policy. I use only Lionel in my Lionel engines until the warranty expires. Usually continue to do so unless they don't have the scent I like. Something about MTH smoke that reminds me of the York train show so I also use theirs. JT's is very popular along with the many scents and is also in my stable of fluids.
Discussing "creating your own" will get the thread deleted.
Lubrication can be Labelle's, Red an Tacky is a popular grease. White lithium from and hobby store. Any good hobby oil.
I'm with Marty. Why cheap out on smoke fluid for a costly locomotive? I use Mega Steam smoke fluid (various scents) and Labelle lubricants, and have for a long time with satisfactory results. I don't use the smoke feature on any of my diesels.
I read the original posters question differently than you two. Seems like you guys read it as "what can I use other than TOY TRAIN smoke fluid". I'm not sure that's the question he's asking.
I read it as it's written "what can I use other than LIONEL smoke fluid". So yes, you can use MTH smoke fluid or JT's smoke fluid, or Super Smoke smoke fluid.
Stu
I use Exelle lubricants and Megasteam smoke fluid as well as Red&tacky grease for gears. Who’s ever brand you use don’t try any home brews and cheap out on smoke fluid.
While I can't speak to smoke fluids as I don't care for smoke, I can say LaBelle lubes have served me well for over 50 years no matter what scale I've been in, be it N,HO, S or O.
Rusty
NOT LionelLLC posted:I read the original posters question differently than you two. Seems like you guys read it as "what can I use other than TOY TRAIN smoke fluid". I'm not sure that's the question he's asking.
I read it as it's written "what can I use other than LIONEL smoke fluid". So yes, you can use MTH smoke fluid or JT's smoke fluid, or Super Smoke smoke fluid.
Stu
I didn't completely read it that way but, some folks will try to cheap out so I thought I'd start with that. I then went on to recommend the other brands. I believe @PATSTRAINS also has a fluid they produce.
I use both Lionel Premium Smoke fluid and Mega Steam smoke pellet scent. I use Labelle grease with PTFE. I found a good oil Omega One Drop instrumental oil but only have a little left and the company went out of business.
I think the smoke fluid has been sufficiently covered, and I will say I agree with using real model train smoke fluid of whatever brand you favor.
I use Red-N-Tacky for grease, and I use 5W-20 motor oil for general lubrication. One can of motor oil is a lifetime supply of oil. 
Things NOT to use for your trains are things like WD-40, that is NOT a lubricant! Another lousy product for trains is 3-in-one oil, it turns gummy after about a year, ugly stuff!
Haha, I had a bottle of 3 in 1 in the bench that never got used but got spilled all the time. I finally dumped in the trash.
I use the Woodland Scenic’s oils as I like the needle applicator and since I do all scales it’s just easier to buy the little bottles in varying viscosities.
For grease I use regular lithium grease in my little grease gun with the needle point applicator. Works extremely well
Smoke fluid is smoke fluid as far as I’m concerned and I don’t run much smoke since it’s too much work to deal with and clouds up the room something fierce
I just tell the wife I bought another steamer and I get all kinds of smoke, no fluid needed .
I was skeptical about Lionels fluid, but I gave it a try ,and was very pleased with the results.
After using "another well known smoke fluid brand" Lionels is now my fluid of choice. Nothing wrong with the other stuff, it smokes well, just that Lionels produced more smoke for a bit longer. Especially in my older locos that are overdue for a rewicking.
Lionels oil is fine. However I prefer the offerings fro Labelle because they come in a needle point applicator and in different wights as well.
I find Labelle 102 to be a heavier/thicker light oil that stays on o scale rods and bushings longer.
Grease? Red N Tacky of course. I grease all of my loco gearboxes when I first get them. I doubt if Ill need to do it again.
What RickO said -- ditto; I lean toward Lionel Premium since Jon Z said it is a non conductor and will not harm electronic boards; been using Remington gun oil on side rods; Red and Tacky on gears.
....and now after seeing that thread stating we can get it in bulk from the "guy" who makes it in his basement smoke fluid distillery.....
I've been using Labelle stuff for years. There grease and oil seems to last quite awhile and doesn't gum up. I've used Red "N" Tacky for automotive purposes. It would probably work fine it just seems to be a bit "heavy" for an O gauge locomotive, at least to me.
I use Baby oil for smoke, it smells nice and its cheap!!!!
I would not recommend it for high priced locos like the Lionel VL Series.
Red-n-Tacky for gears, white lithium for lighter "slide surfaces" lubrication. For overall lub of axles, wheels, other rotational aspects, I use a synthetic called Prolong. When I use it on my postwar steamers, they coast to a stop like you wouldn't believe. Also, the amperage draw is lowered a lot. As for rolling stock and modern era engines, never had any problems and all roll/run very well and with less resistance than before. You can find Prolong in some auto parts stores, or on-line with Amazon. They make diff type products, includes a nice precision oiler. I have been using on my O gauge collection and my cars for over twenty years.
Jesse
For smoke fluid, this is all you need to know.
Baby oil can be used for smoke. I gave it a try and it smoked very good, but it made the room smell like baby oil. gross.
I could never understand why anyone who could easily drop over a thousand dollars for an locomotive here would be looking for a cheap alternative to smoke fluid. Even for the inexpensive trains, why not just use the correct fluid the manufacturer recommends? They can't be that expensive or difficult to get. 
I use Lionel smoke fluid in Lionel engines. I use Mega Steam and MTH fluids in MTH engines. MTH produces a very dense smoke which seems to linger a while, whereas Mega Steam produces a good puffy plume but seems to dissipate quicker. I use Williams/Bachman smoke fluid in Williams engines ( which of course hardly smoke at all anyway )
My most expensive locomotive is a 2005 scale version of the N&W J #611( which I acquired brand new for a song and a dance ... for I could never have afforded this engine new even at reasonable discount ) ... I'm always certain to put Lionel smoke fluid in that engine, because that's the brand that make's the best smoke for this particular loco. ( My experience is Mega Steam does not do so well with this the Lionel J )
As for grease I use Labelles molybdenum, and white lithium.
