I have a couple of different brands os N and HO Locomotives. I am surprised at how little information comes with them regarding their care. Suggestions for how often and how and where to lubricate.
Not surprising. Most manufacturer’s today want you to buy new rather than rebuild or even maintain old items.
“How often” is an important point, especially in the smaller scales like HO and N. Too much lubricant can be as bad, or even worse, than no lubrication. When it runs noisy is a good indication it needs lubrication. Several manufacturer’s make lubricants marked “Plastic Compatable” or something similar. This is an important thing to look for when purchasing. You’ll need a light oil and a light grease. Other oils can attack and destroy plastics, and these work fine on all-metal locomotives, so you’ll only need the one type. I normally use the LaBelle brand. Look for the moving parts, like axle and motor bearings, and apply just a drop to each, avoid getting it on the wheels. The grease can be applied lightly to the gear train. Being more specific as to brand and type of model may help us to give more specific advice.
I have 27 N scale locos and I was told by a few older guys in my train club that they have tryed everything thats has came out and the best is Vaseline Petroleum jelly. I at first did not believe them but after they pulled out there jar of it and showed me I have been hooked every sence. Now I put just a small amount on a tooth pick and smear it over the worm gears, and the gears in the trucks. I have never had any trouble and i just apply it when i notice a little more noise then normal. I know you can put to much on but i have never had that happen other will have to go in deepth on that.
A person should open and inspect the main drive, the internal tower and subsequent gearing, for basic cleanliness and lubrication. Often there is insufficient, and just as often there is too much. I just received a Pennsy Q2 from BLI that I feel was over-generously lubed with grease in the final drives in the two engine frames. Hard to complain about too much grease, but it can be overdone, and I had to scrape some out and then wipe up the frame near the cover to free it from smeared grease. No biggie. Under-lubed would have been much worse.
For steamers, lube the valve gear, rods, and crosshead guides with a hobby lube, such as Labelle’s, or use Dextron III ATF. I use the auto transmission lube, and have for four years now.
Nip the top half of the eye of a good sized steel sewing needle. Use side cutters, and avert your face to prevent the needle half you separate from the implement from becoming lodged in your eyes. Then, insert and glue the pointed end of the needle into a small piece of stripwood or wooden dowel. You now have your applicator for liquid lube. Dip the now tined half-eye into the lube and place the tines at joints and bearings. This implement works especially well in the bearings between the frame and the driver wheels.
-Crandell