While I was building my latest layout all of my engines both steam and diesel were stored in boxes. what would be a good lubricant to use on both of them?
There are different lubricants for different parts of the locos. Here’s a link to one manufacturer’s web site that tells a little about what each of them is used for:
http://www.aerocarlubricants.com/Trains/index.htm
This is just one brand, there are others as well.
HTH,
Steve
A highly recommended lubricant is Dexron III Automatic Transmission Fluid. A quart bottle that can be purchased at any automotive supply store should last a lifetime. I apply it with the tip of a shish-ka-bob skewer or toothpick. Dexron will not harden with age, dry out, or attract dirt like petroleum lubricants and the much more expensive hobby lubricants.
Powdered graphite is good for gears.
You can get a nifty set of lubricants from Labelle at your LHS, it includes a medium oil for motor bearings, a gear lube, and a teflon-based grease. Plus an extension hose with another needlepoint. To this I added one of their bottles of powdered graphite (same stuff as Kadee Greas’em but cheaper). This takes care of all of my lubrication needs on HO models. They make a slightly different kit for N scale that has a light oil instead of the medium.
–Randy
I use now Aerocar and have also used Labelle.
I can’t really if one is better than the other…But I do like the Aerocar stuff real well.
Interesting comment on the Dexron, I had never heard that before…Anybody else using it?
There’s a lot of odd materials often mentioned as usable on model railroads. However, in the interests of KNOWING the lube was compatible with various typesof plastic used in gears and gearboxes, I’d stick with known lubricants like Aerocar and Labelle. We KNOW those work, and it’s not expensive - you should only be using a tiny amount anyway!
–Randy
I have not tried transmission fluid on HO scale bearings - not sure it’s thin enough to work. I am going to try it on my HO open gears - gear grease is probably better for enclosed gear boxes.
In 3 rail O where bearings are bigger and not as close tolerance, folks I know who run display layouts for hours on end swear by Dexron. It stays in place better, is plastic compatible, and doesn’t evaporate or dry out. It is designed to keep any dirt or particles in suspension. Dexron users simply don’t need to lube their locomotives as often, which is important in high usage situations like display layouts.
yours in oiling