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How to Make Model Railroad Smoke Oil

Some model train engines are designed to smoke when special smoke oils are placed into the funnel of the engine. The components inside the funnel heat up the oil and the evaporating oil creates the effect of white smoke billowing from the train's funnel. Using liquid smoke in your train on your layout gives you a more realistic feel to your model railroad. You do not, however, need to purchase model smoke oil. You can use other materials to make your own at home.

Things You'll Need

Distilled water
Clean plastic container
Glycerin
Eye dropper

Instructions

- 1
  Fill up the plastic container with distilled water so that 90 percent of the container is full. If the container doesn't have markings, measure the amount of water in the container so you can add the appropriate amount of glycerin.
- 2
  Add 10 parts glycerin to the 90 parts distilled water in the plastic container. Cover the top of the container and mix it well.
- 3
  Draw a small amount of the liquid into an eye dropper and drip two or three drops into your train engine. Follow your particular train engine manufacturer's directions as to where to place the oil.
- 4
  Operate the train to check the smoke effect. It may take a couple of minutes for the smoke unit to heat up enough to create the smoke. If the smoke is not thick enough, add a few more drops of glycerin to the liquid mixture and remix.

Model Railroads