I just picked up a PFM Shay loco at an estate sale. I believe it is brass and not sure how old it is. It runs well and am wondering do I need to do anything such as lubricating it etc. If so should I use grease or oil etc. This is the first brass I have owned and is new territory for me.
thanks in advance
Bruce
It could go back to the Sixties. They imported more than one model of Shay, so to pin it down a bit more and find more info, is it a two or three truck unit? Type of stack? If you have the box, what is the info on it? Could you post a photo?
As far as lubrication, I would LIGHTLY apply Labelle 107 to the drive shaft and moving parts, including the journals If you go inside, lubricate the drive train with oil and place a small drop on the motor bearings. As it probably has metal gears, a schmeer of grease in the gearbox would probably be useful. The key is - use a light touch on the oil and grease
Model Train Lubes – Labelle-Lubricants
How to lubricate your models
https://youtu.be/jxXIIDmNI6g
Thanks for the replies. It is a two truck shay with a straight smokestack. The label on the box was partially ripped off and there were no directions or paperwork with it. I will lube the outer gears with the #106 oil but I have no idea how to get the body off to do any interior work. I wonder if there is a youtube video that might help?
NYVTRR Thanks for the replies. It is a two truck shay with a straight smokestack. The label on the box was partially ripped off and there were no directions or paperwork with it. I will lube the outer gears with the #106 oil but I have no idea how to get the body off to do any interior work. I wonder if there is a youtube video that might help?
The body should come off as a single piece held in place by a few screws easily removed from underneath the loco...The drive train and the gears all stay with the frame and the body just lifts off...
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
Does it look like one of these?
HO Brass PFM United 2-Truck Class B Logging Shay Geared Loco | BRASSTRAINS.COM
SCALE – HO
IMPORTER – PFM
BUILDER – UNITED
TYPE – CLASS B 2 TRUCK SHAY
FUEL – WOOD OR COAL
DATE – 1961
HO Brass Model - PFM 2 Truck Shay Logging Loco - Partially Painted Black - Early 1960's Run - United | BRASSTRAINS.COM
FUEL – OIL
HO Brass PFM United 2-Truck B-2 Class B Logging Shay - Straight Stack | BRASSTRAINS.COM
DATE – 1957
You may have yourself a true anteekew there!
PS - You may want to invest in a locomotive cradle. They are available at very reasonable prices
https://www.micromark.com/Foam-Cradle
https://kalmbachhobbystore.com/product/modeling-tool/84017
https://hobbytools.com/products/copy-of-cradle-foam-repair
https://www.amazon.com/HO-Foam-Locomotive-Car-Cradle/dp/B002O5YJ6U
There are probably others out there as well
PPS - Here's an entertaining video by a guy up in Canada named Harrison who is the Doctor Frankenstein ("It's ALIVE!") of reviving old, dead locomotives. Notice how he gets the superstructure off and lubricates things. He's got a whole series of videos which are great fun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Cl3dD6ISE0
Beausabre
The one I have is similar to the first link you posted. Not exact but similar. Mine is painted black and looks like a factory paint job. Will check out the video link you posted later on
PFM Catalog
https://imgur.com/KFjKTU6
I have several PFM Shays 2 and 3 truck dating back to 1964, the first 3 truck. All of them have metal gears and no plastic. I don't think it matters if you use oil or grease. I use oil on all of mine and have had no problems. Any models with Delrin gears (which I don't think any of these have) have never been damaged by ordinary oil. I don't run mine much so leave them dry without oil for storage.
Jim