Any tips on servicing a Hornby Loco?

[Woody]

Guys,
Got my Lad a train set for Christmas which he's enjoying.
Last week my Dad found my old Loco's from when I was about the same age as my Son.
These are now knocking on 30 odd years old!

Well we tried them last night and they all run albeit slightly slow and clunky.

I'm guessing that there's 30 year old grease and gunk in there that needs cleaning out and re-lubing.

I've downloaded the Service sheet from Hornby (just an exploded drawing with Part numbers).

Any tips on what lubes I should be using and what I should use to clean off the old gunk?

Thanks

[ecsrobin]

Then use the hornby maintenance guides: http://www.hornby.com/downloads/view/index/cat/16/

Just dug out my old trainet for my nephew who is train mad I forgot how much track I have although need 8 tighter curves than what I have to finish the layout I want.

[Woody]

Thanks hadn't noticed those.

Any idea what will pass as 'light machine oil'?

[ecsrobin]

This website suggest 3in1. http://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/Maintenance.h... I have found it a great source of information and I made a huge improvement to the running quality of my train by going round with a track rubber.

[Woody]

Thanks guys,
I'm guessing it will be old style motors.
Track is all new but will give it a going over with a track rubber.
Presumably I can also use the track rubber to clean the wheels up too?

[RichB]

Do you not clean the gaps in the commutator, replace the brushes and oil the little pad to lubricate the drive spindle any more?

[S11Steve]

Woody said:

Presumably I can also use the track rubber to clean the wheels up too?

It's a bit fiddly to get a good clean of the wheels, so try to find a fibreglass pencil - about £5-6 off ebay.

All my old set came out of the loft last year and will soon be reinstated after I move house again. There is around 300ft of track, 15 engines of various sorts, 20 carriages and about 60+ wagons, all from 84-91/92 ish.