2500 series passenger cars

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I have a string of these cars which I got my hands on. They may have originally been included with the Santa Fe set in 1952 or 1953; I dont really know. They are Silver Dawn, Silver Bluff, etc. The cars seem a bit large for the 031 curves, barely clearing the housings on 022 switches, and the cars seem to tip as if starting to be pulled over as a loco pulls them up a grade on a 147 degree curve up and around a mountain. The couplers seem to not want to co-operate with each other going around turns and lead to derailments.

What is proper lube location to allow the trucks to rotate more freely on their mountings under the floor of the car? I looked in the Greenberg Repair and Operating Manual, and there is very little there on maintenance of cars–mostly just lube of truck axles.

Am I expecting too much? The Ogauge Gargraves layout with 022 switches which i have constructed is from Toy Trains magazine October 1953–“Long runs for your trains”–3 very similarly designed plans with up and over plan design for O, 027, and S.

2

A touch of light oil (Labelle 106) at each point where the axles meet the side frame assemblies should help. If you still have derailing issue, check the gauge of each wheel set, as sometimes they get loose.

3

Recently I splurged and bought a Labelle’s “Lubri-Pack” (My term! [;)]) just to see how good the stuff is. It’s good!

At the TCA April 2023 show I lucked into a pristine Lionel Reading Pacific and a Williams “six-pack” of Reading passenger coaches. The Pacific had a hard time pulling all six cars so I hadn’t been using them all. I lubed the axles of the cars with the Labelle oil and presto! No more problems!

I gave the engine a good lubing as well with the Labelle oil and grease 'cause why not? The Labelle lubes also worked superbly waking up a dry 2065 I bought recently. Labelle’s not cheap but it’s money well spent.