Every train (non motive) that I take out of the box gets a dot of oil on the axles at each wheel prior to running for the first time. Is this necessary on modern equipment or just plain overkill. Thanks, BigRail
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Depends if it squeaks or not. I tend to see if it’s needed first, as excess oil just ends up on the rails
Virtually all locomotives need oil on all the axle bearings. I oil axles of any rolling stock running in bronze bearings or the older style trucks like Menard's rolling stock or the postwar trucks. I don't oil the new stuff with needle point bearings running in the plastic inserts, they are self-lubricating.
New or used, I generally lube everything when it comes in the door.
I most certainly do. MTH has a label recommending lubricating their passenger cars prior to use. 
A little dab will do you, I do everything new and used, especially engines and anything else with pick up rollers.
Depends on the type of bushing. Plastic no, brass yes.
Oh and always oil locomotive axle bushings with a needle point oiler. Many people forget that but it's important.
I always oil the axles, and pickup rollers where applicable, of engines and rolling stock. New or used doesn't matter. Just a tiny amount is all that is needed, don't over lubricate. I use Labelle 107.
I always lubricant new or used.
I believe that many of us here prefer running rolling stock with metal trucks as they stay on the rails better. As such you have metal rotating within metal. A tiny drop of oil on all needle axle ends makes the consist run smoother, especially so with the heavy aluminum passenger cars. To not over oil, I use a needle oiler with synthetic 0-20 oil .
I have purchased various road name Williams passenger cars (Santa Fe, Pa) and with every box comes specific instruction that before first use to oil specific points on the the wheels. There is no explanation why this is necessary but I do it.
John F
I oil them all, (joke: ) using aerosol penetrating oil liberally sprayed over the entire under-carriage of the car.
Actually- after reading these posts, I think I will oil right out of the box, then stop re-oiling cars, and lube locomotives once per 25 hours as recommended.
Dennis LaGrua posted:I believe that many of us here prefer running rolling stock with metal trucks as they stay on the rails better. As such you have metal rotating within metal. A tiny drop of oil on all needle axle ends makes the consist run smoother, especially so with the heavy aluminum passenger cars. To not over oil, I use a needle oiler with synthetic 0-20 oil .
Actually, a lot of "metal" trucks still use Delrin needle point bearing supports for the axles.
Engines - always.
Rolling stock - why not? While it may or may not 'squeak', it is a lot easier to lubricate it right out of the box, than add it to a train only to have to remove it later because it squeaks.
Alex
