Do you lube brand new trains?

LUBE AND OIL!!!

I lube what I can get to without taking the shell or body off.  I'm not going to do that to a new engine until I know it can't be avoided.

Yes.

.....

Dennis

Always run a new train for a few minutes before lubrication.  This way you can detect any mechanical problems before they get concealed by lubrication.  But then I always lube the underside, the gears, axle bearings, pickup rollers, etc. before continued operation. 

For gears, I favor lithium white grease as it seems to stick well and yet lubricates for years to come.  For any axle bearing including rollers, I have found a synthetic lube with suspended Teflon to be my best lube.  It also sticks well and Teflon is supposed to be the slipperiest substance known to man.  And the synthetic oil never dries out and becomes "cakey".  It works for me.

Paul Fischer