Grease or Oil?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have just taken a 35 year old Brass 2-8-0 Engine apart for Sevice. I have oiled all Metel to Metal parts as well as greasing the Gears. My question is this. The shafts between the Drive Wheels . Do they get grease or Oil? I can see down next to the shaft that does through the Gear. Would that Shaft get Grease or Oil?

2

Those would get oil assuming you are using an oil such as LaBelle oil, if you are using a petroleum based oil it will just insulate the drivers and you will loose contact.

Power is picked up by one side of the engine and one side of the tender, if you look closely you will be able to see the insulation between the driver rims and the driver centers.

I use LaBelle oils exclusively on all of my brass, #108 works best as it does not affect the paint, if unpainted you can use #101 but it will require a thorough cleaning before painting.

Mark

3

I am using La Belle 101. What about the shaft that run down from the open frame motor to the gear box. Oil or Grease? There is is a rubber sleeve over this shaft. Should I put anything on this?

Is there anything else I should do to Service the Engine?

Here is what I did so far

  1. Used a Tooth Brush on outside

  2. Use Computer Air Preasure to blow out and dirt.

  3. Greased Main Gear

  4. Oiled all moving metal parts

4

Yes, oil the bearing surfaces on the gearbox, again, sparingly, a little LaBelle oil goes a long, long way.

If you have any trouble with your piece of flex tubing from the motor you can get plenty more by going to your LHS and getting “model airplane” fuel hose", oils and such have no effect on it therefore if you do get some oil on it it will not deteriorate like the old black rubber does.

Mark