After watching some TV, I went back downstairs for a final run before bed. In a short period of time I was greeted with a very hostile squeal. Think nails on the chalkboard times 1000. I applied lubrication to all the externally accessible gears and bearings to no avail. As much as I didn’t want to, I knew I needed to perform surgery.

It seems that after three years in the box that some of the lubrication was missing from where it was needed. In this case it seemed to be the bottom of the motor shaft. Fortunately I was able to get everything back together again with no extra screws or pieces. The one casualty was a broken bell but I was able to glue it back on with CA glue.

I put the little engine back to work quickly and again enjoyed the sound of the steam chuffing, whistle blowing, and bell clanging.