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2500 series passenger cars

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  • Member since
    November 2007
  • 447 posts
2500 series passenger cars
Posted by stuartmit on Sunday, February 25, 2024 6:25 PM

I have a string of these cars which I got my hands on. They may have originally been included with the Santa Fe set in 1952 or 1953; I dont really know. They are Silver Dawn, Silver Bluff, etc. The cars seem a bit large for the 031 curves, barely clearing the housings on 022 switches, and the cars seem to tip as if starting to be pulled over as a loco pulls them up a grade on a 147 degree curve up and around a mountain. The couplers seem to not want to co-operate with each other going around turns and lead to derailments.

What is proper lube location to allow the trucks to rotate more freely on their mountings under the floor of the car? I looked in the Greenberg Repair and Operating Manual, and there is very little there on maintenance of cars--mostly just lube of truck axles.

Am I expecting too much? The Ogauge Gargraves layout with 022 switches which i have constructed is from Toy Trains magazine October 1953--"Long runs for your trains"--3 very similarly designed plans with  up and over plan design  for O, 027, and S.

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • 8,037 posts
Posted by fifedog on Monday, February 26, 2024 8:32 AM

A touch of light oil (Labelle 106) at each point where the axles meet the side frame assemblies should help. If you still have derailing issue, check the gauge of each wheel set, as sometimes they get loose.

  • Member since
    January 2019
  • From: Henrico, VA
  • 9,728 posts
Posted by Flintlock76 on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 11:41 AM

fifedog
A touch of light oil (Labelle 106) at each point where the axles meet the side frame assemblies should help.

Recently I splurged and bought a Labelle's "Lubri-Pack" (My term!  Wink) just to see how good the stuff is.  It's good!  

At the TCA April 2023 show I lucked into a pristine Lionel Reading Pacific and a Williams "six-pack" of Reading passenger coaches.  The Pacific had a hard time pulling all six cars so I hadn't been using them all.  I lubed the axles of the cars with the Labelle oil and presto!  No more problems!  

I gave the engine a good lubing as well with the Labelle oil and grease 'cause why not?  The Labelle lubes also worked superbly waking up a dry 2065 I bought recently. Labelle's not cheap but it's money well spent.

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