smoke generators

[layoutnovice]

Hi All

 

I have a DC layout and I'm thinking of adding smoke to a couple of my Locos ( Class 5 and a Duchess ) both models are from the late 70's early 80's which I obtained second hand.  My question is how do I wire them up to the locos which are both tender driven, the Duchess has a bulb in the front so I suppose it would be  possible to solder to the light connections (removing the bulb), the Class 5 has no such connections.  

 

Anyone any ideas

 

Mick

[DCB]

Its not really an option.  You can either permanently couple the tenders and run a wire from the metal tender chassis to one side of the smoke unit and earth the other to the loco chassis or fit pickups to the loco,

The first is a lot of fiddle and the second a lot of fiddle and then the wheels skid.

A better solution for the class 5 is fit an X04 motor and pickups as per the same vintage Hall class and then you have the electrics and an a more realistic performance especially if you bin the Hornby Tender in favour of a Mainline/Bachmann one.

Smoke units don't generally look that realistic but my old Triang Diesel Shunter body on a Jinty Chassis looked good as smoke oozed out just about everywhere.

[cliff park]

Slightly off topic, but it seems to me there's an opening here for somebody to exploit the 'vape' technology, and make realistic, but much more environmentally friendly smoke units. They could probably even be made to smell of steam and oil !! Some of the vape units seem to be very small, and of course are powered by batteries.