Steam...

[nkp_174]

The reason I asked more about the smoke install is because the Broadway engines have the option. I look at the smoke systems that I saw on the video and it adds something to an engine that has all of these moving parts. The fact that the sound and the chuff work together adds something to it for me. If it was just smoking then I would see the point of toy like. Similar to the older stuff.

It just seems strange to me that the smoke systems are not made better or out of something that doesnt cause so much damage. I was also wondering if yours had not caused a damaged section from the oil on your layout, would you still use it? I am guessing you got a smoked engine for some reason. Thanks again!

That locomotive has an interesting history. I received for christmas in first grade, along with an aux tender and 6 matching rivarossi passenger cars. The early Bachmann 4-8-4s had a design flaw with their split axles...so when it broke, they replaced it. It broke again, and my brother and I destroyed it. Elementary school kids. I don't recall what trouble it caused. We we renewed our interest in trains during high school, we bought a new Bachmann Plus J. It also had a smoke unit, but we didn't use it. It added nothing for us...so I don't have much personal experience with it from the time when I've been old enough to remember. I then had an accident with that J, and it was replaced with a new Spectrum J that doesn't have smoke.

While in high school and college, I began to suspect that the oils that were applied to the track actually caused more harm than good...same thing with regular track cleaning. I'm not alone in this view, as it has been discussed on the old forum. I don't allow any kind of oil into my train rooms...and that includes the smoke oil. It isn't methane...it does not burn clean (side note, you don't smell natural gas...you smell the sulfur that is added to let you know if it is leaking). I know exactly the scent...I can remember that from childhood.

For the most part, you can go ahead and find a locomotive with a smoke unit and not worry about it. If you notice problems, then stop using the smoke...and see about disabling the smoke unit.