I know this has been discussed sometimes in the past but I need to know how often ho steam and diesel engines need to be taken apart and lubricated. I called one manufacturer and they told me something I could not believe,they told me to oil the engine whyenever I started to hear a squealing sound…Now im not a real smart cookie but I know thats way off base. I do oil the drive rods ,gears and axles where they touch the holders but I dread taking apart some of my more complicated steam engines both n and ho scale just to put oil on the motor bearings.
I don’t like taking my locomotives apart any more than you do, so I do what the gentleman on the other end suggested…deal with it when the locomotives indicate that they could use some lube.
I figure if they move smoothly and only make the intended noises, it should be ‘good enough’. They always let me know when they have run dry. The valve gear squeaks or the bearings on the heavyweight trucks squeak. Time for some maintenance.
Okydoky