09-21-2009, 07:47 PM
I am a light user of my engines. Each one of them gets a total of about 2 hours use a year, some less. As your engine roster increases, that number will drop.
Personally, I would want to open up an engine every five years and clean and lube.
I believe that grease is a safe, stay-put, lube for gears, and a little goes a long way. For the outer, visible, stuff that I can see on my steamers when they are inverted, I use Dextron III automatic transmission fluid. A chemical engineer over on Model Railroad forums explained the stuff to the membership back in 2005, and it made sense. The stuff doesn't wander, is plastics and paint compatible, and it has tremendous shear strength. I have used it successfully for going on four years now and have no 'issues' with my running gear. Like anything else, a little goes a long way, and a quarter cup of the stuff should last the typical user a lifetime.
-Crandell
Personally, I would want to open up an engine every five years and clean and lube.
I believe that grease is a safe, stay-put, lube for gears, and a little goes a long way. For the outer, visible, stuff that I can see on my steamers when they are inverted, I use Dextron III automatic transmission fluid. A chemical engineer over on Model Railroad forums explained the stuff to the membership back in 2005, and it made sense. The stuff doesn't wander, is plastics and paint compatible, and it has tremendous shear strength. I have used it successfully for going on four years now and have no 'issues' with my running gear. Like anything else, a little goes a long way, and a quarter cup of the stuff should last the typical user a lifetime.
-Crandell