I found this written on ebay about a GG1 that was restored:
"I patiently remove the old hardened Lionel grease from all drive shafts, gears and axles, and replace it with my specially formulated Teflon impregnated lubrication which will never harden, and provides superior performance. I guarantee that the drive unit cleaned and serviced using my proprietary formula of Teflon lubrication will run smoother and out pull the GG1 the day it shipped new from Lionel. A power unit that is properly serviced with advanced Teflon lubricants is more efficient, more powerful, and requires less voltage and wattage to operate."
What I found interesting is the emphsis on the teflon and how his lubricant is propietary. However the reason his unit draw less current is simply for no other reason "thinner" lubricant. Lionel used some thick tacky goo to keep gears from wearing. In todays world where lubricants have evolved 10x over, what can we think of as the superb thinnest but still provide great wear for our trains? Greases either synthetic or regular can't be the answer.
It depends on whether you're talking gears, or bushings/bearings. Synthetic IS the answer for both. Oil impregnated surfaces benefit tremendously with the use of Mobil 1 or Amsoil. They are super-slippery, won't break down, and cling(microscopically) to metal.
For gears, the latest & greatest synthetics cling & climb to be continuously replenished & re-coat wear surfaces, and refuse to be thrown off or pressed out of the contact area(again, on a microscopic level).
The result, both for oils & grease, is that there is actually less metal-to-metal contact & wear.
Fordiesel69"I patiently remove the old hardened Lionel grease from all drive shafts, gears and axles, and replace it with my specially formulated Teflon impregnated lubrication which will never harden, and provides superior performance. I guarantee that the drive unit cleaned and serviced using my proprietary formula of Teflon lubrication will run smoother and out pull the GG1 the day it shipped new from Lionel. A power unit that is properly serviced with advanced Teflon lubricants is more efficient, more powerful, and requires less voltage and wattage to operate."
Substitute "Lucas Red 'N Tacky #2" for his "proprietary formula of Teflon lubrication" and you will get similar, if not better results.
I did his "lubrication" test on my 8753 GG-1 back in January, using Lucas & Mobil 1. It now walks, no, RUNS away with a full consist of aluminum cars screaming to top speed. It runs for hours on end without a whimper or squeak - just a silent hum/whir at cruising speed. It really does make a difference.
Rob
Fordiesel69 I found this written on ebay about a GG1 that was restored: "I patiently remove the old hardened Lionel grease from all drive shafts, gears and axles, and replace it with my specially formulated Teflon impregnated lubrication which will never harden, and provides superior performance. I guarantee that the drive unit cleaned and serviced using my proprietary formula of Teflon lubrication will run smoother and out pull the GG1 the day it shipped new from Lionel. A power unit that is properly serviced with advanced Teflon lubricants is more efficient, more powerful, and requires less voltage and wattage to operate." What I found interesting is the emphsis on the teflon and how his lubricant is propietary. However the reason his unit draw less current is simply for no other reason "thinner" lubricant. Lionel used some thick tacky goo to keep gears from wearing. In todays world where lubricants have evolved 10x over, what can we think of as the superb thinnest but still provide great wear for our trains? Greases either synthetic or regular can't be the answer.
Sorry, I don't totally agree with the above. Synthetics can be wonderful, but I don't think that Lionel started out with a grease that was "thick, tacky goo." Over the years the thinner, more volatile portions of their old orange grease evaporated, and the rest mixed with dirt to create the equivalent of a candle -- sometimes you actually have to chip it out.. Teflon can be very good -- some say it is the most slippery substance known to man -- but slippery isn't the only virtue in a lubricant. To remain effective, grease has to stay where it's put, and that is the great virtue of Lucas Red 'n' Tacky #2; but it needs to go on sparingly. No need to fill gear-wells or submerge gears in grease or oil. The bushings are generally not machined to a super-high precision, and the lubricant will run all over everywhere.
There used to be a popular saying in the toy train world: if you can see the lubricant, you've used too much!
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You guys are righty about synthetics. Less friction which means less wear and easier running. Proven in automotive and marine "worlds". I do go with the Slick 50 1 Lube as it is a little less in viscosity as 3 in One oil but heavier than WD40. I have tried all "grades" of synthetic greases. I tried the red highspeed synthetic reel grease. Worked great but did not "stick" as well. I now rely on LeBell's. I "over lube" my enignes compared to some but never had one fail for wearing out. Been running engines off and on for 57 years now, works for me.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
That guy is talented but could you stand to read the whole thing about how great he is. Not me. What I found interesting is that he is clearly advertising a postwar rare black gg1 but he does not disclose that it is a repainted engine until the 15, 17 and 18th paragraphs of the description. Is it just me?
But with over 6 days left and already 20 bids he must be doing something right.
Poor Lionel lube. I have my own synthetic blend of proprietary lube and grease too.
Basically from what I gather, he makes it his life! I would not own a repaint of anything. I takes away value and character. Although I do respect him taking crap and making it into like new. I agree when stuff gets scarce and no longer good, restorations are the only way to keep them going.
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