What are you guys using for grease on your postwar and modern era equipment? I plan on cleaning and re-greasing my #50 gang car.
The grease in the Lionel cleaning and maintenance kit seems like it is for the plastic gear stuff only and after a couple of runs it “liquifies” and basically disppears- like when I opened up my 2343 F3 and there was nothing in there!
I think I could be using something better than that I quality metal to metal gears. Would also like to use some stuff that is plastic compatiable.
Hello LS1 Heli- Labelle makes Grease & Oil that is compatible with plastic gears & it is also good with pre-postwar trains. Just about any Hobby or Train Shop should have it in stock. This is what I use on my trains. Take Care.
I’ve heard good things about Labelle grease, but I’ve been using white lithium grease for years. It’s pretty cheap and I have had the same tube for 10 years or so. Works well too.
I’ve been pretty happy with white lithium grease for my modern stuff. I use Lucas Red ‘n’ Tacky for my postwar locos. You can use a very thin coat. It might better be called “Red ‘n’ Clingy” because it tends to cling to the moving parts and not get thrown off. It is said to be plastic compatible, but since you can use so little it isn’t much of an issue.
Where it is essential not to pick up dirt and grime, such as on couplers, I use graphite powder.
David Laughridge (“Dr. Tinker”) kindly included a tube of lubricant with one of my (relatively) large parts orders. Specifically it is Lubripate 630-AA, part number L0067-087 by Fiske Brothers. The manufacturer’s website says it is plastic compatible. It is a white lithium grease and seems to be high quality. I use it a lot, especially on my modern loco’s and cars.
I work right down the street from Dr. Tinker’s house. I stop by whenever I get the chance. He’s a very nice guy. Lubriplate does seem a bit thinner than other white grease. But he’s been using it for years and likes it, so I bought some. Big tube for what I need it for!
Let me be perfectly clear that I don’t use ANY single lube (oil, grease, or powder) for every purpose on my layout. After you’ve tried several, you kind of get a “feel” for what is right. Frankly, I think there is less here than meets the eye. When in doubt, slap a little bear-grease on 'er and let her rip. These babies aren’t Rolex’s, after all. (That ought to start a riot.)
My tube says “white lithium grease” made by Panef Corp. Like I said I got it at a True Value Hardware store about 10 years ago here on Long Island.
There was a great mechanic named Joe at Trainland (sister store to Trainworld) on Long Island, and he told me to use white lithium grease. Been using it ever since.