On another major forum, I read a post on this topic from a petroleum engineer. He made a convincing argument that automatic transmission fluid has all the properties you need for toy train lubrication, except for possibly hard-working gears. It is safe for paints and plastics, and it has remarkable shear strength. Darned fine lubricant as it happens...
ATF sounds interesting, BUT, can you smell the fluid? I know ATF has a really strong smell.
I too must have read the same post! The only "hobby" lubrucant, (Hob-e-lube, Labelle, etc) that I've ever used is the Labelle grease. For situations that call for oil, I had used Marvel Mystery Oil for almost 20yrs, as another hobbyist told me about it in 1979. It is similar to the transmission fluid. However after some PM's with the author of the post, [I believe it was Mcoulvian(SP)], I switched to the transmission fld, and haven't looked back. Definitely cheaper and superior than the MMO and the hobby type lubes. Wish there was a commercial grease like it. A small container would last forever.
So, are you guys saying to use ATF as a grease and an oil or only instead of the oil? You got me listening and I may swing that direction when my Labelle oil applicator runs out.