Oil or no?

Tin Plate train have metel against metel.

a little oil goes a long way in lubing the wheels

and axles and the locomotive doesn't have to pull

so hard.

To take the stress off your new Baby Blue, keep

those axles oiled and they will slide around the layout

smooth.

Lubricate all points just like you would a scale engine and cars. Nothing new goes on my track before all the axels,rollers and wheels are lubed. Don't forget the side rods etc.

Walt, I have the same Baby Blue Comet set that you bought. I was surprised as well that there was no paperwork with the 4 car add on set.  In checking them out, I noticed the metal on metal setup that Popi pointed out.  I put some Labelle 106 oil on them, and they did seem to run a bit quieter.  I do this with all my cars, but these seemed to need it more than others. 

Jim

Like others above have stated, put a small drop of oil at each end of the axles.

On a new piece, I put a very small drop of oil at both sides of the wheel. After that usually only at the outside (face) of the wheel. We all have a favorite oil, I happen use Hob-E-Lube HL663 Medium Oil most of the time. It has a 2" long needle type applicator that makes things very easy. It's put out by Woodland Scenics. When the oil is gone, the bottle becomes a terrific smoke fluid applicator.

 

Steve

This is definitely the way to do it.  And like Steve mentioned "we all have our favorite oil" this is correct... but I would add that making sure that it is a synthetic will make it last much longer!

THANKS all!!!!!!  I will do that as soon as my replacement engine set comes back to me.

 

- walt

Walt,

I use Labelle medium oil on all the linkages, a drop on each side of the rollers and wherever I can add a little to rolling stock. One of the things I discovered is that it is electrically conductive! This is really good. They even tell you how to clean the track with it to improve electrical contact. Something to consider when you pick an oil.

Also, oiling your engine is an important "bonding" ritual to show your new engine that you love it .

S

The wheels and axles on the tender are pretty much like the rolling stock. The tender has a pickup roller that is the same as those on the engine that would need oiling. Same logic for the passenger cars with rollers. Tinplate wheels and axles will squeak if not lubricated. Pretty much anything works. I like heavier stuff because it lasts longer.

Thanks Jim C.

 

- walt