Claning and Lubricating the Rolling Stock Freight Whells?

[WhatDoIKnow?]

What is the best way to clean and lubricate Rolling Stock Wheels? If there is fuzz in the housing points how do you take the wheels apart? This would be for all Lionel designs including AR wheels and before with the all metal wheels I think one design is called staple.

Thanks You!

[Bob Keller]

I unlocked it.

 

[TrainLarry]

 If the truck axle bearing holes are not too dirty, the wheelsets can be cleaned and lubricated without taking them out. If there is a lot of dirt and grunge build-up on the wheels, I use a hobby knife or single edge razor to gently scrape the dirt off. I then clean the wheels, axle and sideframes with naptha, as this is a good degreasing agent, and does not attack paint or plastics. On the older design trucks, such as the bar-end or staple-end that you mention, the wheels turn freely on the axles. Put a drop of hobby oil in the wheel bearing, and another where the axle goes into the sideframes of the truck. Spin the wheels by hand to distribute the oil.

  The newer Post-War designs have the axle splined, and the wheels are a press fit on the axle, so the axle and wheel turn as a unit. Clean the wheels, and put a drop of oil in the sideframe bearing hole.

  The modern, Fast Angle wheelsets have a tapered end on the axle, and fit into a matching tapered hole in the sideframes. These generally do not need lubrication, as the sideframes are made from a self-lubricating plastic.

   Locomotive wheels are cleaned in the same manner. A drop of oil is put on the axle bearings, and on steam locomotives, a little hobby grease on the gears.

   Clean all roller pickups, but do NOT lubricate the roller, as the oil will attract dirt and act as an electrical insulator.

    Hope this helps.

Larry

 

 

 

 

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

I've taken to using #20 motor oil for lubing most things on the recommendation of servoguy, so far it's working out.  It works for the axles and gears.  I still lube the couplers with a very light gun oil.