Lubrication

[Super]

The loudness sometimes comes from the gearing but can also be due to the type of drive system the train has. The 'Flat Drives' are notorious for being loud. Most gearing could use some lubrication but I only lube when I have a motor completely torn apart and I use R/C Helicopter White Lithium Grease made for plastic gears. With the motor opened up all the gears can be cleaned of the dust, dirt and hair and the gears and shafts can then be lubed. In most cases the engine will be quieter and run more smoothly. You are correct in not using too much grease as depending on where you run the trains would be a dust, dirt and hair magnet. With most of us, trying to quiet a noisy motor is maddening with trial and error with some cases not helping much.