Roller Bearing Truck Lubrication.

[LaRoy]

Hello,

I was just wondering if the large scale roller bearing trucks, the ones on the Evans boxcar and the ones packaged separately as parts, have their journal bearings lubricated at the factory.  I have assumed that they do but there's always that alternate reading of assume.

Thank you

[Greg Elmassian]

Never assume anything about factory lubrication. I have not seen the re-issue of the Aristo Craft roller bearing trucks, but light oil would be best. The width of the brass "bearing" is substantial, I would use light or ultra-light oil, and get a plastic compatible one... we have pictures of Aristo trucks falling apart with the wrong lube.

[LaRoy]

Thank you for your reply

What I have on hand is from Aero-Car.  I believe I bought their large scale set years ago.  So it sounds like the ACT-2112 Motor Bearing Lubricant would be the one to use here?  The instructions that came with the set recommend that one for for things like side rods and valve gear.

Thank you,
-Scott

[Loco Bill Canelos]

Hi Laroy, I do not believe those trucks were factory lubed, nor were any Bachmann rolling stock factory lubed. Bachmann locomotives did have lube in the gearboxes but never on the running gear.

I always lube everything with plastic compatible lube, even all metal gears are in a plastic gearbox.  I have used Bachmann plastic compatible lubes as well as Woodland Scenics, and Labelle.

Loco Bill

[Greg Elmassian]

Scott, motor bearing lube is a bit heavier... use the light for now... if you check and lube more often, the ultra light will reduce drag.. these trucks have more drag when not lubed properly.

[LaRoy]

I got the impression the motor oil was supposed to be light.  I had a look at Trainworld and the Labelle lubricants they have available.  Perhaps the Labelle 108 oil?

Thanks again,
-Scott

[Greg Elmassian]

No, actually it's heavier, but experiment if you want... you really cannot hurt these unless under-lubricated... they just have a lot of drag...

going to their site, I see that the light and ultra light oils are gone! you have heavy duty bearing lube and motor bearing lube...

huh.... I like their stuff, but surprised they narrowed their offering...

yes, heavier oil on small points of contact, like valve gear... but the bearing surface on the roller bearings is larger, so I use a lighter oil..

I more often use hob-e-lube
https://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/category/StandardHob-E-Lube

Greg

[LaRoy]

Okay, Thank you for the link also.  I will get some ordered.  Trainworld has it too so I'll get it from them as it's convenient.

My layout is point to point instead of a closed loop so the cars don't get a lot of mileage in comparison, but I still feel better safe than sorry.

Thank you again,
-Scott