It has been interesting to read this discussion of "Prototype Smoke" and the
apparent belief by many of you that the prototype locomotives produced
copious quantities of smoke. Not true during their normal operating time
period (not excursion operation). Most railroads had penalties for excessive
smoke, as it wasted fuel and made the trackside residing folks really upset!
There were times of "copious smoke;" when sanding flues (today still a trick
for photo runby smoke), and white smoke when the weather was cold and the
exhausting steam condenses in the atmosphere--BTW, this is not a polluting
smoke, as some think--it's just water vapor!-- dark smoke also occurs when a
coal fire is too cold, and when fuel oil is corrupted.
Now that being said, I still love good smoke units! Marx had a unit that
also sent smoke out near the cylinders--which, BTW is only realistic when
the condensate valves are open, as when first starting, or the piston
packing is failing. Still, I thought( and still) think that was a neat
feature--I've even thought of modifying an ACG smoke unit with small tubes
going down to the cylinders, just to see if it would work.
Now about sound. My Challengers were tested on a friend's layout (long story
there regarding house remodeling and a train room that is now "house
storage"). We were listening to the very neat (I thought) sound effects. My
sister stopped by (who is NOT a train enthusiast) and walked into the room
and stated, "That sounds like a recording." Hmm, well, yes it is! Her
previous exposure to Model Railroading sounds, I will admit is ACG's smoke &
choo-choo units. I guess it's a little like comparing a Pipe Organ to an
Electronic Organ--in spite of the technological breakthroughs, they are
still different--naturally-made sounds are different than recreated sounds.
I throw the previous paragraph out just for discussion--I certainly haven't
decide which is better--they're different, that's all!
S'
David Dewey
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