Model Forum / General / Railroads / June 2007

"Matt F"

Early Hornby locos with XO4 motors had built in felt pads around the motor
bearings which were designed to ensure plentiful lubrication to those same
bearings.  Experience over a number of years suggested they were not
necessary and a small amount of light oil (sewing machine oil is ideal) on
the motor bearings is adequate to ensure a long motor life.

Other than that, a small amount of the same oil on the gears (assuming they
are all metal) and also on the driving wheel axles (after cleaning away any
old oil & dirt) is probable all that is necessary.

You may also wish to clean the motor's commutator and brushes (but do not
lubricate these).

John.

The motor bearings at each end need a bit of oil. A drop or two carried
to the bearing on a pin or on a pointed toothpick is enough. It's best
to use oil made for models, but any light oil for fine machinery will
do. The "oil retaining pads" are little bits of felt in a brass box
around each bearing. You should find them on X-70 and X-62. That's where
you put the oil. And it helps enormously to put s drop of contact
cleaner-lubricator on the commutator. It reduces contact resistance
something wonderful.

If you can set up the motor so that it's easy to get at the commutator
while the motor is running, a polishing with crocus cloth glued to a bit
of wood will also help. Clean the motor after doing this, and then use
the contact cleaner.

HTH