Hello I have a märklin 26750 Rheingold locomotive that has not been used since new. When I tried using the locomotive it ran smoothly but gave off a “metallic” smell. I assumed that the locomotive needed some lubrication so I ordered some märklin 7149 oil (I have not received it yet). I also sent a mail to the seller and asked if the metallic smell indicates that the train needs lubrication. The answer I got was that I need to take apart the motor and then clean and lubricate it. I am completely new to the hobby so this seemed like a daunting task for me. I then called the dealer to get more clarification on what I was supposed to do. Unfortunately the person that answered my mail was not the same person as the one that answered the call. Initially the person which I spoke to did not know how to help me but asked a colleague which told me that I needed to lubricate the motor (and not take it apart). This contradicted what I previously heard so I sent another mail to get more clarity. The conclusion of the mail exchange was that I did not need to lubricate the locomotive at all if it ran smoothly and that the smell would go away after the train had been used for a while. I am a bit confused by the contradicting answers and new to the hobby (as previously mentioned) so I would like to get more input on this topic. Do you think that I need to lubricate the train, and if so how, or do I just need to run the train?
Many thanks

Hello, and welcome to this forum.

Careful and moderate lubrication is never a bad idea with long time stored-away locos. Best if you clean the mechanics beforehand thoroughly with a soft cleaning agent. Here people have individual preferences; some use alcohol, e.g. isopropanol, or lighter fluid, or a steam / cleaning fluid like RS24. Make sure it doesn't hurt the livery (paint, printings) nor the electric insulators.

What do you mean by "metallic"? I don't think there's much attrition in unused, like new locos. But: Electric motors with mechanical commutators produce sparks when running which in turn create small amounts of ozone with a stinging stench. You smell it only if close to the machine, due to its low concentration. Could it be that? It's very normal in normal use...

Edited by user 01 January 2025 18:59:10(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

The locomotive has the old style motor type and it's quite normal that they give a faint "electric" smell when running. Nothing to worry about. Not saying that it never needs lubrication of course.

When the locomotive is not running smoothly, the brushes and carbon will wear (burn). This is the smell that you notice.
In addition to lubricating the gears/drive of the motor, you will want to ensure that there is not too much pressure (tension) on the brush and carbon.
One other sign that locomotives in trouble produce is that the motor often emits a high pitch noise at speed.

Depending on how long you have been running the locomotives, it may be happier with fresh brush and carbon in addition to lubrication.

BR 18.4.pdf (244kb) downloaded 29 time(s).

Regards

Mike C

Hi Evergreen,
I have that exact locomotive. Mine was in the Rheingold anniversary set that comes in a large tin box with five Rheingold coaches.
Mine was also unused - or virtually unused.
I seem to remember that it was very clean inside but the original oil had gummed it up a bit. I oiled the bearings at the ends of the armature shaft along with the wheel axles and the gear teeth and bearings. Only tiny drops!
This new oil softened up any gumminess and after a few minutes in each direction the loco ran very well and still does in both digital and analogue.

I would never use an old (even unused) loco without checking it over and lightly lubricating it.
It may seem a bit daunting but it isn't really. Just be careful and do it in an area with lots of light. You shouldn't need to dismantle the motor but that's not difficult either, it just requires a bit of extra care. In your case I suspect you just need to pop the body off and apply a tiny drop of oil to each side of the motor. The axles and gears can be lubricated if need be without taking the body off.
It's always worth learning all this stuff as the experience will serve you well when it comes to routine servicing. Try not to regard it as a chore, it actually becomes quite a satisfying part of the hobby.

All electric motors that use brushes smell a bit, especially the older style ones. As someone pointed out the smell is basically ozone. If you visited old fairgrounds as a child you will probably recognise the smell as they used to reek of it, the dodgem cars especially. It shouldn't be too strong though unless you hold the loco under your nose and sniff!

It sounds like there's nothing amiss with your loco - it just needs a little waking up after a twenty year sleep.
It's a nice loco - enjoy it.

Paul

You may as well give it a quick lube now - after all, you're going to have to sooner or later so you may as well familiarise yourself with it now. Just don't put too much on - especially on the side with the brushes.

I remember those horrible coupling bars <shudder!>
Very difficult to couple the coaches together and even more awkward to get them apart without ending up holding what is effectively a very expensive string of sausages!
I think I ended up laying them on their side and then getting in with a pair of tweezers and squeezing the ends together at the back of the socket. I can't really remember though as I managed to erase it from my mind.

I only ever did it the once - I went straight onto Ebay and found a few pairs of current conducting close couplers that made things a lot easier. You still have to squeeze the coaches together a bit whilst lifting the couplers to uncouple them but it's no longer an issue.
I've just had a look and unfortunately I didn't keep the packet that they came in so I can't give you a part number. I'm sure someone on here will know though.

The old bar conducting couplers are a pain and I immediately replace them with current conducting couplers. I noticed that Marklin now includes those with lit car sets.

Re; bar couplings. However, I still use them, but only for pairs of cars. You can easily handle, rail, and store two. I use the newer current couplers between the pairs of cars. The newer Marklin rebuild commuter cars even come this way.