Cleaning Gears with Bill Henderson

Bill does this every six months or so using Labelle 108 oil which does not harm any of the plastic on the cars. A toothpick is used to oil between the frame on the bearings of all drivers. Alcohol and a pipe cleaner are run over the back of the drivers to remove any excess oil; the oil should never reach the wheel. The motor shafts are also oiled, with care taken to avoid any oil on the commutators. A little oil goes a long way.

Bill kit-bashes his camelback locomotives. He starts by taking an old timer boiler and cuts it off at the back of the cab. A penn switcher cab is used for the camelback and mounted on the boiler. A firebox is used from yet another engine. Bill adds a styrene shelter for the loco’s fireman. The frame came from a custom brass engine.

Henderson uses pictures of camelbacks from antique modeling magazines as a guide, even measuring the photos to make sure proportions are correct. Bill started reading these old hobby magazines at a young age and became interested in the history of model railroading. Henderson has been modeling since 8 years old in the 1950’s and feels like a witness of modeling history as well. To learn more about cleaning your layout or tips for cleaning model train wheels, visit the Model Railroad Academy website.