My 30 year old Märklin Set 750 anniversity Berlin contains 3 locomotive.
Only the BR 89 runs so "la,la". The big steam loc BR 41 and the German AEG E 94
didn't make any move at all.
The old use Märklin oil really is sh.. and all locs were gumming hard.
I have made some good experiance to solve that problem with using
my Zippo Lighter Fluid.
On the small locs where you have good access to the cog wheels from the botttom
it's easy. I choose a hard brusched paint pencil put to the fluid and clean the cog wheels
After that put the loc to my test track ride and did the procedure again. Then I put fresh oil on it and let it run for 15 minutes.
On the heavy grumming loc I disassemble the complete driving line. Clean every cog wheel seperatly oil it fresh and put it toughter.
My experiance is that the Zippo Lighter Fluid is chemical wise close to oil. The wear out on the painted parts getting in contact is mimimal mostly none. Only on the metall parts I saw a little bit change, becomes a little bit pale but not very much.
Any Question don't hestiate to contact me by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
