Oiling a locomotive

[Anonymous]

question #2- I am going to oil both of my locomotives--what do I use. The instructions suggest a toothpick, but will a toothpick hold enough oil to even do any good at all ? I am going to oil the moving parts of each, but I certainly don't want to get toomuch on the locomotive's wheels. Any suggestions?

Thanks again.

[cwclark]

I use dry graphite powder in the gears....oils can break down the plastic and pick up unwanted materials from the layout (loose ballast, lint, ect...) that can get into the gears...the only thing i do oil is the track..i put a very small amount of wahl's clipper oil on the rails and let the engine carry it throughout the layout..it keeps the wheels and the track clean for a long time...Chuck[:D]

[Jacktal]

Good hobby shops sell a specially formulated oil that will not deteriorate plastic parts.Regular engine oils could ruin untreated plastics and their viscosity will likely attract dust,so that messy deposits will build up and accumulate.Special model lube oil usually comes with a needle end,so no other device is needed to apply it.

The secret here is applying a very tiny dropplet of oil on moving joints,as very little is required,so you don't mess up your engine.Don't put much at a time,just do it more often.