Is there a "quick and dirty" way to get access to the gearbox on a K-line K-3810-09135 PA A5 Steam Switcher, without removing all the circuit boards crammed in there? Is there an exploded view or schematic anywhere?
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No access from the bottom, you have to remove enough to take the top gearbox plate off.
Thank you. That's what I was afraid of. I've done a fair number of gearbox lube jobs, but none in such tight quarters. I'll take a picture to help with replacing all the boards and wiring, since I'm guessing there is no exploded view from K-line. Would Brasseur's possibly have any board that I might damage in the process? (I'm being overly-cautious because this is a favorite engine of the leader of our train club, and is running 4 hrs/day on a Christmas "train garden"...as they are called around Baltimore.)
Fred Crider
There's nothing in there that isn't readily available, the boards are the motherboard, the R2LC, and the DCDR motor driver. Unless you use a hammer, they're not that easily damaged. I have two of these that I double-head. I swapped a shell with a conventional one so I had different road numbers.
OK John thanks. That's helpful and reassuring. FYI, I use Lucas white lithium grease in gearboxes. I've been using Mobil1 0-20w for side rod linkages, contact rollers and rolling stock axles , but am I am now thinking that might be too light for the constant running of the engines & rolling stock on the Christmas garden display. Do you have any recommendations?
John, I'm guessing that you are the source that Don Lockwood at MTH referred me to. I'm glad to have made that connection. I will try to keep my questions to a minimum, but I really appreciate your help.
Fred Crider
I use plain 5W20 motor oil for rods and axles, works fine and doesn't gum up like a lot of lubricants. I currently use Red-N-Tacky for gears. I personally think it's more important to have any lubricant on things, and the exact type isn't as important.
I actually dropped an ERR Cruise Commander "M" into my A-5's to give them better speed control, really makes a difference in running. It's pretty cool to see the two little guys pulling a string of cars around. 
Thanks. I'll look again for red n. tacky.
Fred Crider
Fred,
I've used Red-N-Tacky for maybe about a year or a little longer after GRJ and others recommended it and it works very well. I'm a convert. 
Tom
Thanks Tom. I recall looking for it a while ago, but all I could find at Home Depot and Ace Hardware were those small grease gun cartridges. I ended up getting the Lucas White Lithium tube because of easy handling and dispensing.
Fred
So where do you find Red-N-Tacky?
@trainman129 posted:So where do you find Red-N-Tacky?
Anywhere fine lubricants are sold... Lowes, Home Depot, Tractor Supply, Rural King, Ace, Menards, Autozone, Oreilly, Napa, Advance, Pep Boys, Meijer, Walmart, Amazon, Farm & Fleet, etc.
