I have been assiduously breaking in two MP Pacifics and one MP Mikado. Really and truly, after about 20-25 hours each, they pull about 8 cars around 9 3/4" radii curves without slippage. When new, they slipped pulling 3 cars. Still can't do it up my 2 3/4 percent grade with more than 2 cars, but I have hopes. ANYWAY, the Mikado and one Pacific are nice and quiet all all speeds, incuding crawl (which they couldn't do when new) but one Pacific has a growl at very low speed and it changes pitch to something higher when speed is increased. It is an annoyance I can live with if it means opening up and doing motor things. However, is this a lack of oil in the gears, which I think I can handle with a drop of oil? I am afraid to over lubricate and then have to do what I can't do. Please advise.
Mark: Get some LaBelle grease with teflon; plastic compatible (LAB-106) and place a very small amount on the gears ( a dab) , that the gear plate covers. Then run your MP's at various speeds in both directions. LaBelle Products Stay cool and run steam.....
