Pretty sure I bought the wrong one

[wyattroa]

I was in the market for a steam loco and wanted to get one that actually steamed. I picked this one up off of model train stuff

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Bachmann-Spectrum-HO-83802-USRA-2-10-2-Light-Sout-p/bac-83802.htm

I thought I got the right one but now after receiving it I am sure I was wrong. Can anyone point me to one that actually steams? Or if this one does and I am just a putz. Also it came with a little bag of what looks like black powder, anyone know what this could be for?
Robert

 

[jayl1]

The black powder is coal or cinders. Bachmann makes a few "cheapie" steamers that smoke but I'm sure others on this forum will add that the smoke is not a great idea since it burns an oil that 1. smells and 2. can gum up the tracks & scenery.

Your Spectrum is a better quality engine than the "smokers".

 

[wyattroa]

The black powder is coal or cinders. Bachmann makes a few "cheapie" steamers that smoke but I'm sure others on this forum will add that the smoke is not a great idea since it burns an oil that 1. smells and 2. can gum up the tracks & scenery.

Your Spectrum is a better quality engine than the "smokers".

Thanks for the fast reply, I did not even think about it gumming up the tracks or ruining the scenery. I will keep with what I have be happy with that. With this coal or cinders, is this just to sprinkle over the fake looking coal on the tender to make it look more realistic?
Robert

 

[RexHea]

Yeah, I will "Ditto" that about the smoke. Besides, there are only a few smokers that even come close to looking real, with most no more than a burning cigarette.
The Spectrum line can't be beat for the price: having very good detail and good running. Excellent warranty.

 

[Cjcrescent]

...With this coal or cinders, is this just to sprinkle over the fake looking coal on the tender to make it look more realistic?
Robert

Correct Robert. Just be sure you use something like a thin coat of white glue "painted" onto the original coal pile to hold it in place.

 

[galaxy]

You got a great loco there, but that ain't no smoker.
I would keep it and keep this all in mind:
Steming locos do burn oil {usually mineral oil} that:
1} stinks when burning
2} causes problems for those with serious or even mild lung issues
3] I would not want it burning around my children's lungs
4} some manufactures make smoke that has certain simulated smells-like coal or lavender but they are as bad for the lungs as plain smoking oils
5} leave a residue on the tracks that cause traction and electrical continuity problems

If you insist on a smoking loco here is one available in DC only:
http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Detail.asp?Scale=HO&Item=160U060&ID=20015398
________
NO2 VAPORIZER CHARGING INFO

 

[cmcgloughlin]

Wow I never realized there was so much negative feeling towards smoking engines. To each his own I guess.

Anyway, I concur you got a nice loco. Congrats.

 

[Y3a]

Remember, a loco when running efficiently won't smoke anyway. Usually, coal burners will smoke when the stoker s or grate shakers are on, or when its slipping.

 

[Espeefan]

Wow I never realized there was so much negative feeling towards smoking engines. To each his own I guess.

Anyway, I concur you got a nice loco. Congrats.

Smoke is kind of a novelty thing and most serious modelers (that I know) aren't really into it. It's a light oil and does smell. MTH sells perfumed oil that smells nice (I've heard) but yes, enough of it will deposit on track, scenery, and other models. Our club has banned smoke generators. Members must turn the smoke unit off when running at the club. OTOH, when my Christmas tree is up, I have a nice little Lionel Atlantic and I let it smoke when we run the train under the tree. Brings back memories of the old days!

 

[hamltnblue]

I have a few steamers that smoke. It's pretty neat for the first hour or 2, then you'll turn it off. Sounds like a great idea until your room becomes filled with it.

 

[wyattroa]

Thanks for all the replies guys.. I love this engine so far, I am still new to this hobby and my says I'm like a kid just sitting there watching it go round and around..

 

[toptrain2100]

I have a few steamers that smoke. It's pretty neat for the first hour or 2, then you'll turn it off. Sounds like a great idea until your room becomes filled with it.

Yep ! dito !
* For smoking locomotives I am not to wild about old Bachmann. If you are wealthy you can get a MTH steamer with smoke. I cant.
* A list of locomotives with smoke that I have is .
* The Marx Hudson. This loco with fill a room with smoke. Smoke unit like the following Gilbert hudson.
* The Gilbert Hudson. The ones like the marx with the drive motor worm gear also turning a second gear that pumps smoke out the stack.
* Old gilbert hudsons (1940's and 50's)had their smoke units in the tenders.
* The Gilbert PRR B6. Smoke unit the same as the newer hudsons ( 1950's and 1960's).
* The lionel pacific. This one has it smoke pumped by the main rod piston. The cylinders are actualy the smoke pump.
* The Revell 0-6-0t Omaha. With smoke and chugg. The smoke works just like the Lionel.
* Also many mantua- Tyco locos came with sueth smoke units built in 0-4-0s. 0-6-0s, and the General. Sueth units were made for mantua's and Tyco's Pacifics and Mikados. These units also fit into Penn-Line and MDC's line of steam locomotives.
* Mantua not to long ago put a smoke unit in the tender of there Pacific and Mikados.
* In England triang and Hornby locomotives also had smoke units in them.
I like them all.
Frank