Steam

[KipperPK]

My layout has until now been all diesel, but I've just bought my first steamer (sound fitted Farish Standard 5) to start filling my 'heritage yard'. I'd like to have some steam/smoke 'around' it whilst it's sitting in the yard. Anybody done this? Any suggestions about how I might go about this would be appreciated (if it's even possible).

[eddief83]

Assuming by around it you mean smoke/steam coming from the general area not the engine itself. You could put a smoke generator under the board with holes for the smoke to escape up.

[Newportnobby]

Assuming by around it you mean smoke/steam coming from the general area not the engine itself. You could put a smoke generator under the board with holes for the smoke to escape up.

Here's an example of the above normally fitted to a loco in bigger gauges.

https://rainbowrailways.co.uk/product/seuthe-loco-smoke-unit-no-27-10-16v-dc-ac/?

A former member of this forum actually used them to create smoke in tunnel mouths on exit of steam trains from said tunnel. Amazing modelling.

[crewearpley40]

Assuming by around it you mean smoke/steam coming from the general area not the engine itself. You could put a smoke generator under the board with holes for the smoke to escape up.

Here's an example of the above normally fitted to a loco in bigger gauges.

https://rainbowrailways.co.uk/product/seuthe-loco-smoke-unit-no-27-10-16v-dc-ac/?

A former member of this forum actually used them to create smoke in tunnel mouths on exit of steam trains from said tunnel. Amazing modelling.

Was that caz Mick?
https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=6570.30


@Newportnobby using an e cigarette or something similar

[ntpntpntp]

Yes you can add a stationary steam/smoke generator, there are kit/sets out there for things like bonfires or factory chimneys.  Model boat part suppliers sometimes stock such generators. 

Seuthe were a well known brand for smoke generators that use specialised light oil and a heating element.  I think they're still going. As used in older Triang Hornby locos and other brands.  I have two or three N gauge locos factory fitted with Seuthe units.

It's interesting that Hornby have brought out smoke generators for some of the OO locos which I believe use an utrasound water vapour approach - a bit like "pond fogger" units.

[Bealman]

Yes, I have Seuthe generators in chimneys on my layout. But I'm not sure they're available any more, nor the smoke juice, for that matter.

[KipperPK]

Thanks for the comments so far, all useful. I'm really not sure about the 'heating' aspect of the Seuthe type generators. Being located as they would be under wooden boards covered in flammable material. That coupled with the fact that they are seemingly not made anymore! The ultra sonic 'fogger' idea is appealing, but is there anything suitable? Seems like 'more modern' technology.

[ntpntpntp]

You can certainly still get the smoke oil under various brands, even scented stuff!

Graupner were/are another brand which I associated more with model boats.  Quite possibly Seuthe units re-branded.

@KipperPK.  most Seuthe products are still made and available as far as I know (I think they did stop making the N gauge loco units).  I think Sommerfeldt have taken over the range. (I know them for catenary systems).

Here's a link to the info on units for buildings

https://seuthe-dampf.de/gebaeude/

[Bealman]

The heat is hardly a factor. It's only a small element and the smoke juice turns to smoke quickly. You don't need to run them all the time

Mine are installed in plastic chimneys, and there's no problem.

[Roy L S]

On a layout I had many years ago a Seuthe smoke unit was positioned between the rails in the goods yard so that the goods loco when taking a break from shunting got parked over it and the unit was switched on providing an envelope of smoke and "steam" around the loco. It worked OK and seemed to get some positive reactions.

[Bealman]

As a kid I think I used to get high on it coming from my Triang locomotives!

[KipperPK]

On a layout I had many years ago a Seuthe smoke unit was positioned between the rails in the goods yard so that the goods loco when taking a break from shunting got parked over it and the unit was switched on providing an envelope of smoke and "steam" around the loco. It worked OK and seemed to get some positive reactions.

That's close to what I was thinking of trying. Did the smoke/oil have any detrimental effect on the loco?

[Newportnobby]

On a layout I had many years ago a Seuthe smoke unit was positioned between the rails in the goods yard so that the goods loco when taking a break from shunting got parked over it and the unit was switched on providing an envelope of smoke and "steam" around the loco. It worked OK and seemed to get some positive reactions.

That's close to what I was thinking of trying. Did the smoke/oil have any detrimental effect on the loco?

Good question. I was wondering that, too

[Roy L S]

On a layout I had many years ago a Seuthe smoke unit was positioned between the rails in the goods yard so that the goods loco when taking a break from shunting got parked over it and the unit was switched on providing an envelope of smoke and "steam" around the loco. It worked OK and seemed to get some positive reactions.

That's close to what I was thinking of trying. Did the smoke/oil have any detrimental effect on the loco?

Good question. I was wondering that, too

The smoke unit was embedded in the baseboard so that the top of the "funnel" protruded between the rails through the ballast meaning that the heater element was a good way from the locos. The goods loco used was typically an old style metal bodied Farish 4F 0-6-0 which had 12 wheel pickup (tender ones added) a crew and a weathering, the smoke unit and smoke produced had zero effect on the loco or any other over the years the layout was in operation.