Engine Maintenance

I use motor oil only 5W-20 for lubing my train things.  It never dries out.  Some people have the idea that it will run off but it doesn't.  I have a 2025 that was lubed in 1965 and put in a box in the closet.  It was lubed with Valvolene 20W-40.  I got it out about 5 years ago, and the oil was still on the gears and bearings, and the loco ran just fine.  Motor oil doesn't evaporate and get gummy or hard.  I don't use any greases.  I don't use Lionel Lube, 3 in 1 oil, light machine oil, sewing machine oil, white lithium grease, LaBelle products, etc., because I cannot find vapor pressure data for them.  Motor oil has a vapor pressure of 10^-2 torr at 100C.  At room temperature it has a vapor pressure of 10^-5 torr.  A torr is a millimeter of mercury.  Atmospheric pressure is 760 mm of mercury (standard day).  

I agree with Steve.  I have a decent sized fleet so many if the engines are in the yard most of the time.  I tend to switch engines on the layout about once a week.  I will usually glance at the running gear before operation.  I keep a clean rag with some automotive brake cleaner handy to clean as needed.  I also apply oil and grease when needed.  

Not to to get off topic, but this has me thinking about rolling stock.  I know that the majority of my collection needs to be serviced.  This is so simple, but I tend to overlook it.  

Todd

Good point about rolling stock. It tends to get overlooked. I tend to get to it as needed as the "squeaky wheel gets the grease"

I check each engine for lubrication upon purchase. As you mentioned Steve, when you have a lot of engines in the rotation, the majority do not need to be serviced. The engines I run at shows for hours, especially steam, get serviced before they go back in the case. Never had a problem due to lubrication. Not to stray, but the rolling stock used gets lubed too.

I usually swap out engines or rolling stock once a week (about 30 hours on average) and give them the once over then.