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If you are the least bit mechanically inclined, cleaning and lub are pretty simple and straight forward. The Athearns are very easy, start with them. Once you've taken the shell off you should be able to see what needs doing. I use a kit box to place loose parts in. You need to get to the gears in both trucks. The trucks are held together with three snap keepers, one on the bottom and two on the top. One of the top ones also keep the truck mounted to the frame. After these keepers are removed the trucks simply come apart. Clean the gears and other parts in warm soapy water. Re-assemble the trucks after cleaning. I use white teflon grease which is a powder to lub. <br /> <br />A short coming of the Athearn locos are the phosphor bronze electrical connectors. I replace these with wire, soldered to a shortened motor brush contact and soldered to the steel tab which the connector strip used to make contact with on the trucks. I also wire the negative circuit. However, this is more complicated due to a lack of space on the negative side of the truck frame. <br /> <br />Just go slow and make notes, if you feel the need!
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