Lionel Diesel

Lionel Diesel

Lurbicating Lionel Trains?

I got out my old Lionel trains from when I was a kid a couple months ago, and I've been at work on restoring them. I've just basically finished, now all I need to do is lubricate the motors and gears.
Is there any certain lubricant I'm supposed to use? I know that Lionel makes lubricant, but all of the local hobby shops are out, and I'm not too fond of ordering online (identity theft, etc.).

If it's any help, these are the trains that I have (all from the "Postwar" era):
671 (6-8-6 Steam Engine) from 1948
2026 (2-6-4 Steam Engine) from 1953
2056 (4-6-4 Steam Engine) from 1952
6110 (2-4-2 Steam Engine) from 1950
2344 (ABA F3 Diesel Units) from 1952.

Thanks to anyone that can help me out!

For the engines you have, 3-in-1 oil and a good white lithium grease will work fine.

Labelle lubricants are the ultimate in working on trains or other small hobby motors. They're high quality, fully synthetic, plastic safe, and the oils come in a convenient "needle oiler" bottle. If you're going to be doing this much, I'd recommend checking your local hobby shop for Labelle products. They're expensive, but they're the best out there. Hob-E-Lube from Woodland Scenics is nearly as good, and less expensive.

The important points to remember are that less is more, and keep oil off of the electrical contact surfaces. In most cases, the amount of oil that the end of a straight pin will hold is plenty for every lubrication point. Be sure especially that you keep oil off the face of the commutator.

Feel free to e-mail me if you have any further questions. I have several years of experience in repairing Lionel trains of this vintage, and would be happy to assist in any way that I can.

To the following answer from 00:

Really, really bad advice. Motor oil is way too thick, and will gum things up more than it will help lubricate. Trains operate at room temperature, not at 200 degrees farenheit like car engines. Using an automotive oil on a small electric motor will cause more problems than it solves.

The oil which Lionel supplied in their lubrication kits back in the '50s and '60s was rebadged 3-in-1 oil. If it was good enough then, it's good enough now, provided that you're not using it on anything plastic(which wouldn't apply to the ones listed here).