ALCO's acting up

[adrianspeeder]

Hello all,
For Christmas I recieved an HO ALCO C-628 in LV paint by IHC. I set up a loop of HO track (I mostly run O scale) and the thing runs great. [8D]
I thought it would be cool if I also got out my other HO loco, a C-420 by Rivarossi, and run them together.[:D] Well, the C-420 squeals like a little pig.[:(]
I thought if i opened it up and lubed like all of my O scale stuff, it would be allright, but it doesent look any thing like a Lionel, so I am wondering what to do.
This is what it is doing. Whenever the loco moves in reverse, or slows down moving forward, the thing makes a loud squeal.
After getting the body off, I see a motor in the middle, with flywheels on both ends of the motor, little plastic driveshafts feeding brass connectors on the sides of gear boxes? above the trucks. The squeal seems to come from the front truck, but i could be wrong.
I am wondering what to do with the squealer, so i can run it with the C-628.
And also, should i do anything with the new C-628. I always lube my new O stuff, but i am wondering what to do with HO stuff.
Any thoughts appreciated

Adrianspeeder

[Anonymous]

Check the oil and grease in your new loco, it is probably okay but there is no harm in checking. The gears etc. are probably self lubricating plastic so they don't need much grease.

the skealing might be caused by a slipping flywheel. Grip the two fly wheels and try to gently twist them in opposite directions. If one flywheel is loose then dismantle the mechanism and take the flywheel off. Clean any oil off the drive shaft etc and glue it on with CA or contact adhesive.

If it is not take the truck appart and look for burs, dry bearings and anything untoward.

neil

[Anonymous]

Only lube when a loco runs roughly or makes unusual noises, otherwise leave it alone! I usually put a drop of oil on each motor bearing and put plenty of plastic-safe grease into the truck gearing. On steamers, consider putting a drop of oil on the coupling rods/valve gear joints - I had a Bachmann steamer ("Jubilee" class 4-6-0 tender loco) that made some odd squeaking noises until I did this! Interestingly, this also improved the running considerably.

[nfmisso]

Adrian;

The C420 has a history of cracked axle gears, which may be your problem. If the lubrication does not solve the issue, take the trucks apart, and replace all four axle assemblies with replacements from NWSL.