LIONEL 1950's PASSENGER CARS

Steve maybe someone will come on with a better answer. I need to ask are you referring to the rollers or the wheels on the trucks, or both? I'd hold off a bit on that grease (just my opinion) a light oil may help some. If it's just roller drag, you could replace them. Perhaps you could replace the truck(s).

I use LaBelle med. weight  plastic compatible oil....it's conductive too.  I would oil the rollers, even if Lionel says not to.  Go light and avoid problems.  Make sure the wheel treads are clean too.

Dont use gear lube man.It will collect dirt and turn into gum.Somehow you need to clean  the debris out of the wheels and use the proper lubricant and free those wheels up.Have you tried blowing them out with compressed air?I'm sure some of the guys will have good ideas for you.Good luck

Hi Marty, it's the axle were it sit's in the truck side plate. I think there is more wear than normal. When I spin the wheels by hand I only get one maybe two revolutions and they stop. I have been using a light oil but it only last a short time, but I do see improvement while the oil last. That's why I was thinking a grease, should last longer but I'am concern that it will end up on the rails. I have not been able to find the same truck. I could change the trucks but that would really destroy these beautiful cars. 

NO GEAR GREASE got it.     Thank you.

You have to apply a drop or two of solvent between the axle and the wheel. If it's built up dried oil or grease this will work to disolve it. You may have to do it a few times and use a can of computer dust off to blow it out. For solvent I use the 91% alcohol or even WD40. The WD40 is a great disolver. If this frees up the wheels use a light oil for lube and you should get good smooth rotation of the wheels. If this does not do it, the ends of the axles may have to be polished with a wire wheel on a Dremel tool. Also, sometimes the plate that carries the roller rubs against the inside surface of the wheels if it is bent somehow. These are heavy cars and if using a twin motored postwar engine you should get some good speed on a 4 car train at about 16 volts.

It's all about m-a-I-n-t-e-n-a-n-c-e.  It was in every postwar Lionel manual I can remember growing up.

I know that many people would view this subject as so much "blah, blah, blah, yadda, yadda, yadda,.....(yawn!)'.  When the trains would come into the store for "Can you fix it, please?  It doesn't run anymore, the way it's supposed to!", more often than not it simply suffered from.....neglect, no maintenance.

That said, bear in mind that the wheel-bearing 'technology' of Postwar cars was not something that would be celebrated in college-level mechanical engineering studies.  "Cutting edge" would hardly be a characterization of the bearing technology...or quality.  "Cutting edge", actually, might be appropriate in describing the condition of these axle-hole situations in the absence of periodic cleaning and lubrication! 

So, if your PW cars are not rolling well, a THOROUGH cleaning is a first step.  Then, re lubrication...less is more.  Light oil on shaft-hole bearings.  ONE or two small drops should be all that's needed.  Conductive oil....Atlas, Bachmann, LaBelle, and others sell such...is an excellent choice...especially on the center roller bearings.  NO GREASE on wheel/roller bearings.

And, re how long it lasts (re 'maybe I should use grease to make it last longer?')??.....I refer you back to the first thought: m-a-i-n-t-e-n-a-n-c-e.  Inescapable.  Necessary.  Periodic.  Worthwhile investment of time and effort.  Etc., etc., etc..

KD

A small drop of oil on each wheel axle will do the job. If you do not have a needle oil bottle a toothpick dipped in oil will work just fine.

For solvent I use the 91% alcohol or even WD40. The WD40 is a great disolver.

so is this Brake cleaner.

and here are the reviews....

http://shop.advanceautoparts.c...20cleaner#fragment-3

If you get  Brake cleaner on the plastic it may destroy it and or paint.  

If you use WD-40, I suggest you apply it with a toothpick or needlepoint oiler.

I am not certain whether it is still available, WD-40 came in gallon cans (non aerosol). I bought a gallon years ago, and have not even used a quarter of it.

(I mostly use WD-40 on tools to clean and protect them).

If you only have a spray can, you can spray a little into a container, and then use it with an applicator.

Normally I don't suggest using WD-40 on trains, but this is one place where it seems appropriate.

Remember WD-40 is a rust preventer NOT a Lubricant.

Well, It's raining here today and my wife just told me to GET OUT so she can do some spring cleaning. So off I go to do maintenance on those passenger car's that I love so much. Thank you guys........ Steve