Noob here, need help with lubing.

[spdaylight]

Hey guys, I'm pretty much a newbie to model trains.  I've had HO scale trains through out my life, but never collected or anything of the sort.  I would like to make sure and take good care of the engines, and I have an older engine that I'm sure needs lubing, but don't know which lubes to use and such.  Can anyone help me on this?

[mhampton]

First, make sure you have cleaned off all of the old crud.  Next, select some good plastic-compatible lubricant (Labelle makes good stuff).  Some light oil for the motor bearings and a light grease for gears.  Also remember that when lubing a model, LESS is BEST!.  Put on too much and you will just attract more dust and dirt to get you back to the point where it needs to be cleaned again.

[Doneldon]

esspee-

Two things to remember: Plastic compatible grease and use very little. I like to
tell people to take the least amount of grease they think will do and then use
half of that. Welcome to model railroading and this board.
                                                                                        -- D

[CNE Runner]

SP - I suggest you view (probably a couple of times) this excellent video on the proper run-in and lubrication of Bachmann locomotives that appeared on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtW8Gx_WxL4

I hope this illustrates the advice given above.

Cheers,
Ray

[Desertdweller]

Ray,

That's a good link!

Thanks.

Les

[CNE Runner]

Les - You are entirely welcome...this little tutorial has helped me.

Ray

[spdaylight]

Thanks for the info.  And great video!