N Scale 4-4-0 Train Oil-Lube

[JoMc67]

Hello,

I have a 4-4-0 Train that I purchased a couple years ago ( along with a few passenger cars ), and generally only use it from Thanksgiving through X Mas ( about an hour a day ).
I like to know when I should oil-lube the Train, how should I go about doing that, and what type I should use...Also, what about cleaning-lube of the Tracks.

Thanks, Joe

[brokemoto]

Use LaBelle 108 oil or 106 Teflon Grease.  Those are compatible with plastic.   For the 108 , put ONE DROP ONLY on the exposed gear.  Anything more than one drop is overlubricating.   For the 106, put a very small amount on the end of a pin and apply it to the exposed gear.  Do not overlubricate.  The only thing that excess lubricant does is attract dirt.  The principal enemies of N scale power are dirt, Dirt, DIRT and DIRT.

To keep the track clean, buy a Briteboy or similar track eraser.   There is also an alcohol based track cleaner that was manufactured by Life  Like.  I do not think that it is still in production, but there are more than a few bottles of it still out there as NOS.   You should be able to purchase the LaBelle and the track eraser from any hobby store.  If there is none near you, almost every hobby e-Tailer should have it.

[JoMc67]

Thanks for the reply, broke...should I Oil inside of each wheel  ( all 4-4 ) at the point where it connects to the plastic frame housing.
Should I also open up the Train and Oil any internal components ( this part I would be afraid to do as the screws are small and it might not go exactly back together again properly ).

[brokemoto]

Just put a very small amount of the lubrication of your choice on the exposed gear.   If you use something other than those that I recommended, be sure that it is plastic compatible.

You want to avoid excess lubrication.  It does not enhance performance.   All that excessive lubrication will do is attract dirt, which will inhibit performance.

[JoMc67]

Sounds Good, and thanks again...