Dear Mr. Bachmann:
The battery operated locomotives which I owned as a child had a "squeeze" bulb which when activated provided a "puff" of air into the smoke unit to provide synchronised "puffing smoke". If these inexpensive battery operated locomotives could have this feature, why not the Bachmann large scale locomotives? I realise that the "squeeze" bulb would eventually need replacing but spare bulbs could be made available.
Thank you,
Norman
What I want is a big puffer for outside use where you can really see it like the MTH video I saw for a 2-8-0 a while back. Unfortunately, it required the use of their control board.
Don't know if this will help, but here are some video clips by a fellow in Germany who made his own smoke unit (be sure to check out comments for other information). The locomotive is a No. 1 Gauge New York Central 4-6-4. That thing makes so much smoke, I hope the fellow is single; can you imagine what his wife would say at having her house or apartment fogged up so?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4JAz1p41KQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-4l4qIdNjc&feature=channel&list=UL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhH9HJiBRX4
The secret itself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3_WdSFei2M&feature=channel&list=UL
Hope this helps out.
Is he saying they burn out and have to redo all the time? Impressive result