If you can't find any steam oil locally, I can feel comfortable suggesting you pick up a bottle of Lucas heavy duty oil stabilizer (a la Dave Hottmann) at your local auto parts store. I run it exclusively in my two Rubies and my Mogul, and I find it preferable to steam oil in these Accucraft locos. It has a higher char point then steam oil, is somewhat more viscous, and I'm not seeing any negatives from a lubrication perspective. The higher char point means that it doesn't tend to burn on the smokebox as badly as steam oil, and its higher viscosity seems to solve the "excessive lubrication" issue common to Accucraft lubricators, by not releasing as much oil under steam flow. The engine is much cleaner to run and clean up with it. It is thick - warming it up makes it flow easier.
Having said the above - expect there may be some discussion...
Before you fire up your Shay for the first time, do these two things: Go over the loco and check tightness on ALL small screws and nuts. Many will likely need to be snugged up. Tighten gently though, brass bolts can only take so much. You don't want the small screws and nuts falling off the mechanicals when running.
Take some solvent and thoroughly clean the oil off the smokebox area, especially the door. The oil that Accucraft uses for test and shipping chars easily and readily, and when it heats up, it will stain the silver paint badly, and is difficult (very) to clean off.
If you use the Lucas, clean out the lubricator first. don't forget to run some light oil over the linkages before you let er rip.
Having said the above - expect there may be some discussion...
Before you fire up your Shay for the first time, do these two things: Go over the loco and check tightness on ALL small screws and nuts. Many will likely need to be snugged up. Tighten gently though, brass bolts can only take so much. You don't want the small screws and nuts falling off the mechanicals when running.
Take some solvent and thoroughly clean the oil off the smokebox area, especially the door. The oil that Accucraft uses for test and shipping chars easily and readily, and when it heats up, it will stain the silver paint badly, and is difficult (very) to clean off.
If you use the Lucas, clean out the lubricator first. don't forget to run some light oil over the linkages before you let er rip.
