Smoke machines create smoke which rises... Dry ice fog is cold and sinks... a blower can help...

I have seen commercial quality smoke machines create the concept of smoke... Many stage shows have both to create the effects they want.

Randy Hees

Correct, dry ice creates a low-lying cloud. It’s also a real pain to use and can be dangerous (it would be dangerous to go inside a locomotive boiler to set up the dry ice, would create a lack of oxygen).

When you search the Internet you’ll also see “haze machines” these are made to create a light haze of small particles that stage lighting will pick up. It’s for lighting designers that don’t want clouds of smoke, but want the light beams to be picked up. These are also usually oil based and get messy.

All the fake Thomas' at the Day Out With Thomas events use a smoke machine, but we found it very temperamental. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. Strasburg Railroad looks after them, so if you want more information about it you should contact them.

If you go for the glycerine-based kind, you might want to call Pat Petros at Pat’s Trains. He’s allergic to oil-based smoke fluid (for Lionel trains) and makes his own to sell in the shop a gallon or two at a time. He might have some good information about cleaning, etc.

A couple 55-gallon drums of Lionel rotting flesh-scented smoke fluid ought to make it through the season...

Nope the Hack is on the tail of the train, carrying the Bull.... ;<P

If it is static, how about going with the old solution? Hibachi in the smoke box rigged with an oil drip. Then as the night gets near the end, shut off the oil and throw a few pork chops and/or chicken wings onto it for the crew...