Lubricating HO Locos

[RobertInOntario]

Rob: some of your Hornby Dublo (and maybe old TriAng) will have a little pad in a box at one end of the motor (near the worm). This can take several drops of oil. The bearing point at the other end can take the smallest drop of oil on the end of a toothpick.
I always use Labelle's plastic compatible oil and grease, even on all metal parts. I don't oil the newer bits all that often, but those tender drives and the diesel pancake motors (the ones that are a single unit) start to screech when they're dry. They need a drop on the ends of the motor shaft.
For the time taken, $20 for lubricating and inspection is reasonable but it's money you could keep by doing it yourself. At the moment, I trust myself to take a British prototype apart more than most of the LHS in America.

Thanks, David. FYI, the LHS I use (Hornet Hobbies) has a repair who knows Dublo and Triang locos inside and out. He's British himself and has worked on them & used them for decades. So I really trust them. The Credit Valley Railway Co. in Streetsville is also pretty knowledgeable re Hornby and Triang.

Otherwise, I wouldn't really trust other LHS's for fixing a Triang or Dublo loco, not even George's, simply because (as you imply) they're not familiar with British models. I've already received some incorrect/misleading advice from them re Triang locos!

Take care, Rob