Running-In Lubricant

[ten0G]

Hi 

I'm probably very close to buying my first Dapol steam-outline loco, and have formed the impression it will need to be run-in for about an hour before it's fit for use.  To accomplish this, I understand that I need to apply Dapoil or similar in a few places beforehand. 

My problem is I don't reside anywhere near the UK, so I wonder what options I have, and what other Dapol loco owners who live abroad do, to solve the problem. 

Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated, thank you. 

[railsquid]

Kato Uniclean oil (catalogue number 24-021) does the trick, available from pretty much any model railway shop in Japan for about 300 yen. And yes, I have used it to run in Dapol locomotives

Greetings from Tokyo!

[DesertHound]

ten0G

It looks like you've found your match made in heaven in Railsquid! 

He's only "up the island" in Tokyo - surely there's a Shinkansen departing from platform 2 every five minutes or so.

On a more serious note, I'm not familiar with Dapol but I'd imagine you needn't be restricted to Dapol own brands of lubricants. I use motor oil on my locos with no I'll effects (see separate thread) but honestly, I'm sure one of the Kato oils will do just fine.

Railsquid is a fine fellow and I doubt his advice will be far out from what you need.

Cheers

Dan

[ten0G]

Kato Uniclean oil (catalogue number 24-021) does the trick, available from pretty much any model railway shop in Japan for about 300 yen. And yes, I have used it to run in Dapol locomotives

Greetings from Tokyo!

Greetings from Osaka!   

I'll make a note of it thanks.  I haven't seen any model railway shops here, but there are two larger department stores which stock Kato I think. 

I need to buy a Unitrack pack or two so I'll be comparing prices.  I can't use Amazon UK because they refuse to deliver to Japan even though I'm ordering from a firm based in Japan!?   

If you know any websites here I can try I'd be very grateful, thanks, but I can't read Japanese.   

[railsquid]

I'm not familiar with the shops in Osaka but there are certainly some there. Yodobashi Camera in Umeda will certainly have a big range of Tomix and Kato stock at hard-to-beat prices (don't forget the "point card" which gives you an effective 10% discount on the ticket price).

See also here: http://www.jnsforum.com/community/forum/43-hobby-shops-where-are-they/

[railsquid]

Kato Uniclean oil (catalogue number 24-021) does the trick, available from pretty much any model railway shop in Japan for about 300 yen. And yes, I have used it to run in Dapol locomotives

Oh, and don't confuse the above-mentioned "Kato Uniclean oil" with "Kato Uni Cleaner" (catalogue number 24-020). The latter is a mystery substance probably related to IPA which is excellent for cleaning wheels, track etc. but  is not a lubricant.

The "Kato Uniclean oil" is a small bottle which comes with a very fine nozzle for precise application of miniscule dabs of oil.