New Roundhouse Billy.Lubrication

[Rob1962]

Hello I just received a Brand new Roundhouse Billy,And Round House recommends ISO 220 Steam oil,Here in the USA $32.00 a quart are there alternatives or should i just buy it from Roundhouse and pay overseas shipping,Any Roundhouse ownesr please comment or anyone for that matter.

Thank you.

Robert.

[Phil.P]

Always use the correct grade of steam oil for you loco..

A quart should last you ages, and in comparison to the cost of the model, is nothing, really.

Just my ten-cents, of course.

Phil.P

[Lonsdaler]

The Train Department (Jay Kovacs' online US store) has steam oil at about $16 for 16 oz. so that price you mention isn't bad. Unfortunately he doesn't seem to stock the iso 220 oil. But it may be worth contacting him for advice on what to use?

[CharlesMac]

I bought a new Roundhouse "Katie " and imported 2 quarts of the correct steam oil for it. Best decision I ever made. the model runs like new after almost 19 years.
I had a friend who is no longer with us use " Marvel Mystery Oil" in all of his Accucraft locomotives based on what he had read. The oil gummed up the super heater tubes in his locomotives and had to rodded out to get them to run. He had 4 locomotives and only 1 running at the time of his passing by using the wrong oil. He and I rodded out the super heater flue tube 3 times on his 0-6-0, and he still wouldn't use the correct oil in his engines.
Don't use the wrong oil.
Charles M

[Old Man Aaron]

It's definitely worth "buying once and crying once" as the saying goes. Your loco wasn't cheap, and the right oil will make it last.

[Phil.P]

I am always amazed that people will spend thousands on a loco, but begrudge a few tens of (insert currency) for the correct grade of oil?

You will probably end up with enough oil for more than a lifetimes running. - If you have too much, then a few bottles bought from your favourite auction site, and you can spread the love, by selling-on / gifting to others.

Phil.P