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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: just one question on July 25, 2007, 01:24:17 AM

Title: need blue smoke for model trains
Post by: just one question on July 25, 2007, 01:24:17 AM
Hi,  A big question on a model train forum I read is how to get blue smoke from our trains smoke unit.  Our trains use a liquid smoke fluid which produces white smoke.  While this is fine for the old steam engines it is not very realistic for the modern diesels.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

PS It needs to be non-toxic. Most people run their trains in the basement of their home.
Title: Re: need blue smoke for model trains
Post by: Bakegaku on July 27, 2007, 01:31:05 AM
Blue?  Wouldn't black be more realistic.  Ah, what do I know about trains, anyway.

In any case, it depends on how your smoke mechanism works.  I imagine it's sort of like just boiling the liquid, thus the "smoke" that actually comes out of the engine is more like steam.  In that case I guess it would be best to use a blue dye, but I'm not sure of any volatile enough for that application.  Finding a nontoxic one shouldn't be too difficult, though.