|
|
 Posted - March 27 2016 : 01:18:28 AM
|
I need help!! I have over 100 locomotives and about 90% of them need cleaned and oiled. I have Athearn,Tyco, Rivarossi, AHM, Life-Like, Bachmann, Penn Line, Atlas, IHC and others. I am looking for literature or a website or something showing how to remove the shells of each brand and oil and clean them. I have watched videos and they are helpful to a point. I am looking for something with more detail, like how to remove the shells of each brand and where and what to oil and grease.  I'm probably asking for to much, but can someone point me in the right direction?
Yardmaster 54
|
Country:  USA ~
Posts: 277 ~
Member Since: October 01 2011 ~
Last Visit: August 27 2025
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 27 2016 : 02:36:25 AM
|
Try this:
hoseeker.net
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 3147 ~
Member Since: May 07 2007 ~
Last Visit: March 02 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 27 2016 : 1:04:13 PM
|
Just toss them in the washing machine with some bleach
on the "double spin" cycle. That should help removing the
shells.
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 11628 ~
Member Since: December 09 2013 ~
Last Visit: February 26 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 27 2016 : 1:36:32 PM
|
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!!
Go with the first suggestion.
HO Seeker will have most of the diagrams you need.
|
Country:  Canada ~
Posts: 505 ~
Member Since: August 09 2014 ~
Last Visit: January 15 2025
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 27 2016 : 2:01:06 PM
|
| . . . and www.caboosehobbies.com has some fairly well presented maintenance tips, though I believe they're listed under dealing with brass locomotives, but the techniques are sort of universally applicable. Man, you've got your work cut out, but you'll be a pro by the time your done. Sometimes, too, if you Google a particular problem ("bent driver on Lionel whatever"), you actually get a result to look at . . . or looking under "Images" for the same search. Certainly a good bunch of trial and error, but you've got a good bunch to practice on. Break a leg!
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 2087 ~
Member Since: March 16 2013 ~
Last Visit: July 05 2018
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 27 2016 : 3:35:42 PM
|
quote:. . . and www.caboosehobbies.com has some fairly well presented maintenance tips, though I believe they're listed under dealing with brass locomotives, but the techniques are sort of universally applicable. Man, you've got your work cut out, but you'll be a pro by the time your done. Sometimes, too, if you Google a particular problem ("bent driver on Lionel whatever"), you actually get a result to look at . . . or looking under "Images" for the same search. Certainly a good bunch of trial and error, but you've got a good bunch to practice on. Break a leg!
Originally posted by Barry - March 27 2016 : 2:01:06 PM
|
Just as long as I don't break a shell. lol
Yardmaster 54
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 277 ~
Member Since: October 01 2011 ~
Last Visit: August 27 2025
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 27 2016 : 6:39:33 PM
|
Hmmm, a little Easter humor I detect. If at first you don't
succeed, try vice grips. No worries, nobody reads my posts
anyways.
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 11628 ~
Member Since: December 09 2013 ~
Last Visit: February 26 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 27 2016 : 9:44:43 PM
|
quote:Just toss them in the washing machine with some bleach
on the "double spin" cycle. That should help removing the
shells.
Originally posted by Chops124Â -Â March 27 2016Â :Â 1:04:13 PM
|
Tried that. The spin cycle left the shells in pieces. Just kidding.
Yardmaster 54
Edited by - yardmaster54 on March 27 2016 9:45:41 PM
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 277 ~
Member Since: October 01 2011 ~
Last Visit: August 27 2025
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 27 2016 : 9:54:28 PM
|
Edited by - Chops124 on March 27 2016 9:55:11 PM
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 11628 ~
Member Since: December 09 2013 ~
Last Visit: February 26 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 27 2016 : 11:39:36 PM
|
Mike, you'll find as you get into it, there is a great deal of similarities among different brands. The more you do, the better 'feel' you'll have for how things come apart and soon you will develop your own techniques.
I would suggest starting with your Athearns - they seem to be the easiest to work on.
http://tycodepot.com/
|
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 28 2016 : 9:35:45 PM
|
quote:Mike, you'll find as you get into it, there is a great deal of similarities among different brands. The more you do, the better 'feel' you'll have for how things come apart and soon you will develop your own techniques.
I would suggest starting with your Athearns - they seem to be the easiest to work on.
Originally posted by JNXT 7707Â -Â March 27 2016Â :Â 11:39:36 PM
|
Thanks for the input. I all the help and advice I can get. I've got a lot of work ahead of me. lol
Yardmaster 54
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 277 ~
Member Since: October 01 2011 ~
Last Visit: August 27 2025
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 28 2016 : 10:55:16 PM
|
Of course, you could try posting some of these
things on the Trading Post if you start to feel
tired.
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 11628 ~
Member Since: December 09 2013 ~
Last Visit: February 26 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 28 2016 : 11:11:29 PM
|
quote:Of course, you could try posting some of these
things on the Trading Post if you start to feel
tired.
Originally posted by Chops124Â -Â March 28 2016Â :Â 10:55:16 PM
|
If I get tired I can load them up in the bed of my truck and run them thru the car wash. No spin cycle there. lol
Yardmaster 54
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 277 ~
Member Since: October 01 2011 ~
Last Visit: August 27 2025
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 29 2016 : 6:57:15 PM
|
There was a kid on youtube that actually washed his locos with steam and water. I mean he literally ran them under a water faucet. I will find the link and post it if you promise not to do that.
As far as shell removal, try tcs dcc website. They usually take locos apart to install dcc decoders. THey do most brands and that might help you with removing the shells.
If you still have questions let me know, I have installed dcc on alot of the listed brands and might be able to assist.
If you are not having fun, you are not doing it right.
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 881 ~
Member Since: August 31 2011 ~
Last Visit: September 30 2025
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 29 2016 : 7:27:10 PM
|
quote:There was a kid on youtube that actually washed his locos with steam and water. I mean he literally ran them under a water faucet. I will find the link and post it if you promise not to do that.
As far as shell removal, try tcs dcc website. They usually take locos apart to install dcc decoders. THey do most brands and that might help you with removing the shells.
If you still have questions let me know, I have installed dcc on alot of the listed brands and might be able to assist.
Originally posted by raysouthernpac - March 29 2016 : 6:57:15 PM
|
I saw that video. I'm not that crazy yet.
Yardmaster 54
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 277 ~
Member Since: October 01 2011 ~
Last Visit: August 27 2025
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 29 2016 : 7:31:03 PM
|
Rubbing alcohol is a good safe cleaner for electrical. I use a electronic grade grease from Harbor Freight. I use a tooth pick to apply. I have almost 100 engines in my collection in HO alone. It'll cover them all and then some. Best part is it's under $10!
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 3147 ~
Member Since: May 07 2007 ~
Last Visit: March 02 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
|
|
Posted - March 29 2016 : 7:34:09 PM
|
http://m.harborfreight.com/85-gram-super-lube-grease-cartridge-93744.html
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
|
|
Country: USA ~
Posts: 3147 ~
Member Since: May 07 2007 ~
Last Visit: March 02 2026
|
Alert Moderator
|
|
Home
Forums
Events Calendar
Forum Admins & Mods
Register
