Model Train Journal

Does the 1952 Lionel 2036 take smoke tablets or smoke fluid?

1952 was tablets...unless someone upgraded the smoke unit for liquid. Heater element with absorptive material to retain fluid.

"Sold from 1948 to as late as 1969, Lionel smoke pellets were one of the most recognized side items ever made by Lionel."

Corrosive. I wouldn't use them. Made before MSDS were mandatory, so nobody knows for sure how badly that smoke affects your lungs and sinuses.

https://store.justtrains.com/Lionel-Liq ... p_276.html

different appearance than the ones I installed 35 years ago.

G3750 wrote:Does the 1952 Lionel 2036 take smoke tablets or smoke fluid?

George, the 2036 was made in 1950 only. It had Magnetraction, but NO smoke. The corresponding 1952 model was the 2026. It had smoke, but no Magnetraction. This version, like all post-1949 versions, had cast-on handrails, no ornamental whistle, and drive and connecting rods only (no valve gear).

The 1952 2026 used smoke pills. All similar engines (2037, 637, 2018 etc.) used pill smoke units, right through the last 2029's in 1969. Lionel didn't have liquid smoke at all, until later in the '50s.

At this point, all these years later, someone adding a smoke unit to one is highly possible, IF it had the room.

If he has a 2036, and it has smoke, someone added it, but his question as I read it was pellets or liquid in 1950.

Due to the possibility of a later swap, that is why I caged the answer around if someone has updated it as far as pellets to liquid.

Take it apart and see.

ScaleCraft wrote:At this point, all these years later, someone adding a smoke unit to one is highly possible, IF it had the room.

Why would any of these post-1947 2036-type engines NOT have enough room?

depends. one would think, but do we know for certain Lionel didn't cast some bulkhead in there to prevent it?
I mean, who knows?
I've probably done those using parts I had ripped out of other locos.
Heck, I still have a drawer full of smoke units, pistons, and flappers.

Personal choice is they come out or at least disconnected.
No power is one thing, but yanking the flapper and lever out makes them less clangy!

Thanks all. Someone brought up this locomotive (wasn't sure about the exact number) and mentioned getting it in 1952. He wondered if it took smoke pellets or smoke fluid. I knew I would get some intelligent answers here and I appreciate them.

George

Another question...what are the repercussions of using smoke fluid in a unit designed for pellets? Anything?

healey36 wrote:Another question...what are the repercussions of using smoke fluid in a unit designed for pellets? Anything?

Paul, I don't know. My only response would be the SDL (Standard Dumb Look ). I'm pretty sure some more knowledgeable folks on this forum would know.

George

Same here, George. I've tried a few drops of smoke liquid (which I understand is predominantly mineral oil)...you get a few wisps of smoke and the scent, but that's about it. I've tried the pills as well (of recent vintage) and, to be honest, get about the same result. Maybe the units are shot. Meanwhile, postwar Flyer gear, which was set up for fluid, will run you out of the room.

I was just curious...

Paul

The smoke pills basically sublimate, which is to say, they go pretty much straight from solid, to vapor. If you put too much liquid in an un-converted pill-type smoke generator, it will leak down to whatever is below it.

The good news is, there are conversion units available, which will allow you to use smoke liquid in your pill-type smoke unit. I don't know if you can continue to use pills, in such a converted unit.

I have been running fluid in pill units since the 1980's with no issues.

jlong wrote:I have been running fluid in pill units since the 1980's with no issues.

How much do you put in?

5 or 6 drops