Rust on Armature

Send it back. If the wheels are rusted, who knows what is rusted inside the thing. 

Send it back, send it back, send it back! Don't screw with it. 

A pencil eraser will remove rust from an armature.

You can polish it clean with 320 grit Emery cloth or you could buy a refurbished armature for around $25.00 from someone like S-n-S Trains.

Tom

A little rust on the armature or field is not an issue.  I've had them that were really totally rust covered, I cleaned it off with ScotchBrite and all was fine.  That's unprotected metal, and they rust pretty easily.

That being said, I kinda' agree with the "send it back" reply.  Without actually seeing it, it's hard to evaluate if it's a minor issue or a disaster waiting to bite you.

EvapoRust is your friend.

Whatever you use to clean it with I strongly suggest blowing it out good with an air hose afterward to clear it of any grit or metal contaminates left behind. Lastly take a lint free cloth with a few drops of oil on it and wipe the armature down to keep the rust at bay.

Although I don't run pulmor any longer when I did, cleaning and repairing was very rewarding. Those motors last a lifetime.

Rod Miller

How old is the engine, how bad is the rust?
As others have posted, a little rust on the motor's laminations and/or bare axles is no big deal.
How about some pictures?

I have a product called "Deoxit". Its for cleaning audio/electronics contacts...might apply some of it to the armature and axels with a lint-free cloth.

This engine is a Lionel Commodore Vanderbilt 18045.  Also discovered I would have to install a tender pickup. The two pickups on the locomotive unit are spaced too close together...so I have stall out on every switch on my layout

I have a product called "Deoxit". Its for cleaning audio/electronics contacts...might apply some of it to the armature and axels with a lint-free cloth.

Great stuff, I never thought of it as a rust remover.