on the weekend I just got done lubricating all of my locomotives. Some where bought up to 5 years ago, at that time they received a once over with Labelle oil #107. This time around I used Labelle #107 where I could not directly lube the tower gears with Labelle #106 lithium grease. Otherwise all the tower gears got the Labell #107 grease and the bearings all got Hob-E-Lube made by Woodland Scenics which is their HL653 Ultra-Lite oil which is also plastic compatible.
So my question is how often do you lube up your locomotives and how much. On a side note, I purchased a Roco locomotive, six axle electric. Brand new out of the box I wanted to lube it, when opening the bottom plate that covers the gears in the trucks I discovered that they put on a white grease in huge quantities. So it seems that Roco thinks the more the better.
It’s not really a predictable schedule, like changing the oil in your car’s engine. Too much lubrication, as well as using the wrong type, can cause more harm than good.
I use plastic compatable oil and grease exclusively, even on my all metal engines. The lubricating properties are the same for the two types, and it makes the purchase and storage of the lubes simpler. I lubricate them any time I do a tear down of the engine, but my tear downs include the clean out of all old lubricants. If the drive train is open, dust and dirt can mix with the lube easily. Interim lubrication happens if the loco gets noisy.
On the Roco engine, if the gear box is enclosed and the grease isn’t seeping out of the openings (like seams or axle holes) don’t worry about the excessive lube.
Bachman is another one that always packed the grease in the trucks.
As Tom mentions, removal of this “caked crud” is a must. I have always used the Labelle #106 for the worm/ gears.
I have actually neglected some of my Stewart/ Katos and Atlas engines. Some of these have run for years w/o any real maintainence. The ones that I tend to run the most and give them a serious workout do get periodic lub though.
With lubrication a little goes a long ways. I use only Labelle 106 grease and 108 oil. Grease for the gears and oil for bearings. Too much lubrication can be worse then not enough. Excessive lube can actually attract dirt and dust into the gears.
You are on the right track using Labelle products. NEVER!! use 3 in 1 oil or automotive grease. Most of these products are not plastic safe and can attack the gears.
ow often to lube depends on how much the models are run. Usually if lube is needed there will be noise and squeeking to let you know that the time to clean and lube has arrived.