I have a question about smoke fluid. Is Seuthe & LGB solvent based and the others like MTH, Lionel, Supersmoke etc oil based? I know that you should only use LGB and Seuthe in Seuthe units but is it safe to use it in the MTH, Lionel Flyer Etc units?
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Can't answer your question, but aI do know Marx smoke has a smell only Pepe LePew would love!
Yes I agree and I think Marx was solvent based also. I had a HO Hudson by Marx as a kid and ruined the smoke unit with Life Like fluid.
Based on my own experience I would NOT use Seuthe fluid in Lionel or MTH units. I don't think that it vaporizes correctly in them and the result is wispy smoke and who knows what effect from any residue.
The other way around, I use and sell JT's Megasteam for Seuthe smoke units, it works fine. My customers report it is better than other brands for smoke production.
I use Megasteam in just about everything and it works fine; plus in comes in different flavors too.
Jim McClenin
JT's Megasteam is a great product, that I use and like.
RJL
I have used JT's Megasteam in seuth smoke units with good results but I can't speak for the other way around.
I also use JT's Megasteam. It's worked well enough that I haven't felt the need or desire to research any farther. To me, it works as well as the Lionel fluid, including the new "Premium" stuff.
I just ordered a bottle of Christmas scent.
Megasteam also makes the Pepe lePew flavor: Marx!
I've used Williams' (Seuthe type) fluid in my Lionels with very positive results. Thick, white smoke every time. Lionel's new premium smoke fluid is my current favorite though. That stuff really smokes well.
I read in one of my MTH manuals that the LGB fluid is okay. I've used it without negative effect the few times I've used smoke. The bottle is huge and not very expensive; a lifetime supply for me.
The LGB fluid is I think a solvent base and it does burn faster in the unit than regular fluids. I use it in my Williams Hudsons and Weaver C-1 Switcher which have Seuthe units. I seen Megasteam at train shows but never bothered to try it but bought a bottle of Christmas pine scent last night in ebay.
I don't about "solvent based" smoke fluid. Most of the devices I've seen are either oil or water based. The technology involved is used extensively for military training, fire rescue training, and theatrical use as well as model trains. This is a decent site with overall information on the technologies involved:
Was doing a little research online and found this website that tell a little about smoke fluid.
Nice article Gene, really brings home the differences in "oils".