Hi, as some of you know I’m rather new at this MRR business. Now what I would like to get some help with is what part should I lubricate before I put my trains on the track and then maintain later. If someone could post a picture with indications of what they speak about I would be most grateful since I sometimes get lost in the technical speech that is so common(and necessary I guess) when discussing these things.
Thanks for any help you can give me.
Magnus
What scale are you working in? That can make a difference as each scale has it’s quirks.
Also, if you can show a photo of your locomotive, we can be more specific with our information.
Welcome to the greatest hobby in the universe!
Lee
If you’re talking about HO you want to lightly lube the worm assembly at the top of the gear towers and put just a small drop on each of the worm shaft bearings. Open the bottom of the locos trucks and apply a small drop of lube oil to each of the gears and the gear bearing. Clean up any excess. Don’t forget to lightly lube the motor shaft bearing as well. Be sure to use an oil that’s safe for plastic parts. I use Dexron/Mercon transmission oil.
Lubrication instructions are nowadays usually part of the instruction sheet that comes with the engine (assuming you’re buying it new). In many cases it advises not to lubricate anything because it’s already properly lubed at the factory.
[:)]
Thats exactly why I inspect and service my new locomotives before placing them in service.I do that regardless of brand…I have found 5 Atlas,1 Spectrum GE 70 Tonner and 2 Athearn locomotives that needed that “factory lube” applied…
Its always best to inspect a new locomotive to insure it is ready for service.
Wow, a loaded question that could go many ways. First, there are different lubrications from light weight oil to grease. Each has an appropriate application. Second, there are the types of lubrication. Some oils will eat plastic while others turn it spongy or make it brittle. To handle the situation of both #1 and #2 I have purchased a set of Labell Brand plastic friendly oils that contains a gear oil, a light oil, and a grease tub with nice long thin applicators. Third, it depends on the locomotive itself, but in general any place where one piece is rubbing another is a potential place for lubrication.
Can we assume you are talking basically asking about your new HO scale PCM F units and your PROTO 1000s?
I don’t have any at my finger tips and can’t promise anything, but I’ll see if I can find a PCM unit and get a few photos.
Hi guys, thanks for all the help.
Yes we are talking about HO and my new Proto F and PCM f units. But we are also talking about a large number of steamers and other diesels. Mostly PCM steamers, Proto and BLI diesels and some bachmann Spectrum, steamers.
The reason that I haven’t lubricated them yet is because I haven’t had a track to run them on. But since that is done now I need to not just test run them and grease them up properly. For this I have purchased a set of WS Workbench Assortment but I need to know which to put where. I want to do this right, good and proper and not to mess anything up.
I have read the instructions that comes with the locos, some are good and some are bad. But since my English is not good enough when it comes to mechanical terms on a Y6b I kind of get lost.
This is the kit I got:
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/785-650
Thanks for all of the help,
I really appreciate it.
Magnus
That’s an excellent lube kit. Follow the instructions for it’s use closely and you shouldn’t have any lube problems.