I have two Lionel diesels with some plastic gears in the driving mechanism. One was made in 1979 the other in 1980. Both of them run well. The design is probably pretty good if they have been running this long. Currently, I put some Lubriplate grease on all the exposed gears. I also use Labelle plastic compatible oil on the bearings where the gears contact the sides of the gearbox.
Does anyone have any other ideas on this? I feel like the gears should have some sort of lubricate on them. I don’t feel good about running the engine with those gears as dry as a bone.
You might want to see if your local Lionel service station has metal replacement gears.
Some time back we bought a Southern Train Master on eBay and it had plastic - and broken gears. We took it up to Sommerfeld’s Trains in Butler, Wisc. and they swaped the broken plastic for metal gears.
Well it did not dry out overnite,but over a period of time. Every engine I had used it on refused to run as the grease turned to goo. Use to be realy good stuff. My fishing reels did the same thing.
I don’t know what it means to use “Lubriplate”. Lubriplate what? They make products for everything from “cooker oil” to “dark cutting oil” – and everything in between.
Long time train-repair guru David Laughridge (Dr. Tinker) offers Lubriplate 630-AA grease in small plastic tubes. Allegedly it is safe for most plastics – at least it doesn’t seem to be eating its own container. I have used it for the past couple of years and like it. There is a number for technical questions on the web site
Labelle makes excellent oils and greases. As reported above, most (but not all) are safe for most plastics. (After all, what exactly do we mean by “plastics”?)
I have used Labelle 106 plastic compatible grease on MPC Lionel nylon gears for years with no problem. It is designed for nylon gears. It doesn’t dry out and as long as you don’t over-do it, doesn’t sling off on the track. Just a dab on each gear with a toothpick is all you need. Wipe off any excess after a few laps.
Replacement metal gears are available for MPC Trainmasters because they are the same as the postwar metal gears. For MPC diesels with the cheap stamped steel frame, I don’t know of metal replacements unless they became available in recent years.
I work right down the street from the good doctor. That’s where I got my Lubriplate. Dave told me it was invented for use on typewriters or something like that, and that it is supposed to creep into areas needing lubrication. I’m not concerned about its compatibility with plastic. I’ve only used it on post war trains. My 736 worm gear is swimming in it! I’m concerned about it becoming stiff and gooey.
I’ve used LaBelle grease as well. I have nothing bad to say about it. When I ran out, I got the Lubriplate.
I used the same Lubriplate as you do, and it has never gotten sticky over time. Usually when that happens, it means that whatever was in there before the Lubriplate wasn’t properly cleaned out.
My 736 worm gear is swimming in it! I’m concerned about it becoming stiff and gooey.
I’ve used LaBelle grease as well. I have nothing bad to say about it. When I ran out, I got the Lubriplate.
Jim
I don’t like lubriplate on worm gears. I use synthetic automotive wheel bearing grease. ideal for this situation. you can get it in small pint tubs, enough for every worm drive on the forum.