MTH axle bushings questions

 I was oiling all my axles at first and inquired the same. I was told they use (delrin?) plastic bushings that really don't need oil or not much. When I get a new car I just put enough Label oil on to make it look wet if they're dry.

 I bet they're used for electrical isolation.

That's interesting to hear. I had thought the used an insulator in one of the wheels like they do on the tenders of the steam locomotives. If they're using a Delrin bushing, I agree with Joe's approach -- some Labell plastic-compatible lubricant just to be safe.

I personally prefer bronze bushings and axle- insulated wheelsets.  But most MTH trucks are too short anyway, so I use bronze sideframes.

That would be my preference also.  What surprised me was that MTH could have gone this route [ since the wheelsets are insulated from the axle, and they already used the bronze bushings for 3 rail ], but didn't.  I wonder why ?  The reasons I can think of would be

   -  less rolling resistance [ more important to 2 than 3 railers ]

   -  concern about brakeshoe/wheel shorts [ would need contact on each side ]

   -  cheaper or availability-- and could be used on unlit, etc, 3 rail cars as well

   -  The design engineer's brother-in-law owns a plastic parts factory -- I already believe he owns the factory for machine screws [ given MTH's 'excessive' use of them ]...

   - I'm missing something obvious [ It happens -- even when women aren't involved....]

Joe, thanks for the lube info;  glad you had asked.

With best rgds, SZ