hey
quick question since i am still kinda new to this hobby when and how often should you oil your locomotice and what happens if you don't?
thanks
jeremy
When I first receive a locomotive it gets a checkup and oiling before being put in service. Then its at least once a year afterwords. Sometimes a loco is drenched in oil at the factory and most times its dry. Gear boxes get a dab of grease and each bronze bearing will get just a touch of plastic compatible oil. I squirt a small amount of oil into a bottle cap and use a sewing needle to apply it to armature bearings and axle bearings. The same for side rods on steamers. The most important thing is to not over lube. Oil attracts dirt and dust and also will make a mess of your track.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
Can't really answer what would happen if you fail to oil, because I've never given myself the chance to find out.
I oil my locomotives every six months of actual operation (and I do keep detailed records!) First I clean and inspect the mechanism. Closed gear cases are initially greased, and the grease is checked (but not replaced unless it is obviously discolored or fouled) during scheduled maintenance After removing all the old lubricant with alcohol-saturated Q-tips (followed up with dry Q-tips), I apply a tiny droplet of automatic transmission fluid to EVERY bearing surface - motors, gearbox shaft bearings, axle bearings (both at the gearbox and at the sideframe, if the axle contacts both,) main and side rod bearings, valve motion bearings, piston and valve rods and crosshead guides. (I have steam, diesel and electric locomotives.)
The biggest thing is to avoid applying too much lubricant. You want it to protect the wearing surfaces, not act as a dust magnet - and getting oil on the railheads is a definite negative.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
How often? Depends on the type of oil and the amount of mileage you put on the locomotive, but once every year to 18 months is usually enough. It's a good idea to remove the old oil/grease before applying fresh.
What happens? ANY mechanical device requires lubrication to maximize freedom of movement in joints and gears, and to prevent excess wear. Our small motors and (in the case of steamers) and tiny rods and linkages, require some type of lubrication, just as large ones do. Sometimes the lubrication is provided by the materials with which the device/joint is made: many of the "engineering" plastics are examples. In most other cases, though, some form of liquid or semi-solid substance is applied for lubrication. Failure to do so can result not only in excess wear, but in excess noise as well (squeaking, grinding, etc.). And, of course, increased friction which causes the noise and wear.
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Gary M. Collins gmcrailgNOSPAM@gmail.com
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"Common Sense, Ain't!" -- G. M. Collins
http://fhn.site90.net
The reason i ask this is one of my locomotives makes the grinding noise when i run it. i mean it runs and all but then it slows down and makes the grinding noise? any ideas?
Jerm The reason i ask this is one of my locomotives makes the grinding noise when i run it. i mean it runs and all but then it slows down and makes the grinding noise? any ideas? thanks jeremy
If this is the case, then you may have a gear problem. By the way, what brand of loco are we talking about? Grinding can cause the engine to slow down.
Will
athearn gp-38
Check for a cracked axle gear. Hold the loco upside down in one hand and see if you can turn any wheel with finger pressure with the other. Take a small screw driver and pop the gear cover off the bottom of the truck and remove the suspect wheels. Email Athearn and they will send you replacement gears.
Simple question for the helpful people on the forum. What do you recommend to lube the loco's with?
Jeff
Either Labelle or Hob-E-Lube products will do the trick.
Do you disassemble the locomotives to make your inspections and lubes? Steamers in particular can be complicated to disassemble to get to the motor/gearing system. Putting them back together can really be "fun."
Richard
Yes I disassemble and lube. On my steamers I use the grease with Teflon on the bolts and screws for the valve gear, side rods and gears and oil on the axle bearings and any other joint that moves. The grease on the side rods last a long time and less messy than oil. While I have the loco apart I also check the quartering of the drivers and the gauge of all the other wheel sets. I clean the contacts and every other lubing I clean the motor commutators if they are not cans.