With it starting to get colder, will tempurates below freezing cause the gearboxs in locos and the journals to freeze?
CL,
I store my locomotives indoors, but let them adjust to ambient temps for awhile so there is no problem with ice forming on the wheels. So far, no problems with freezing grease. However, I don’t have to fight temps much below +20F.
Your mileage may vary.
CL,
Generally speaking, temperatures should not affect any of the large scale products in static storage. As for running, the colder the temperature, the ‘thicker’ all the lubricants will become offering more and more ‘rolling resistance’. That being said, there are many on this forum that enjoy cold weather running in the snow, so be your own judge. I live in Florida, so as Steve alluded to, the 20’s are REAL COLD for me. Personally I have run my equipment in the upper 30’s with no ill affect I am sure some of the northern guys will chime in here shortly.
Bob C.
I have ran my stuff in snowstorms, temps in the single digits (Im not normal) and never had a problem. I store most of my engines indoors but a few do stay in an outside storage and so far no problems.
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Well I store my stuff in an unheated (man shed) and pull it out and plow snow in the winter …Haven’t had an issue yet. Yes the lubricants are thicker and yes I can hear the gear box sing a bit more than in the summer(probably due to the colder contraction of the gear box itself). All my stuff is USA diesels or motor blocks. We have had my sons Annie out in the cold as well time to time with no issues.
David Russell said:Rooster its ok to call it your woman shed. Its no secrete Hollywood already told me you store your longaberger baskets in it.
Well I store my stuff in an unheated (man shed) and pull it out and plow snow in the winter ...Haven't had an issue yet. Yes the lubricants are thicker and yes I can hear the gear box sing a bit more than in the summer(probably due to the colder contraction of the gear box itself). All my stuff is USA diesels or motor blocks. We have had my sons Annie out in the cold as well time to time with no issues.
Shud up Shawn or I will tell these guys how you still take your Sesame Street guys on your camping trips! 
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