Lubricate SPARINGLY!

Lubricate sparingly.  As we all know, manufactures of these models tend to "goop" the grease in all the mechanisms at the time of assembly in the factories!  So here are my 2 cents worth.

• Test run each loco on a short test track to see if they run at all.
• Check for any binding, sluggishness or jerky operation.
• If they seem to run ok then add a very small amount of oil to all the moving parts.
• Run each in a cradle upside down to "run them in" with some test leads if possible.
• Most IMPORTANT is to use a plastic compatible oil!  Labelle is a long known lubricant however there are several good quality oils out there on the market.  I would look for "full synthetic" as those will most likely be plastic safe.
• If your locos don't wake up well, it's quite possible that the "goop" has dried and become hard.

This being the case then a full disassembly and drivetrain service is in order. 

This is what I currently use.

https://www.amazon.com/Liberty-Synthetic-Lubricating-Grandfather-Clocks/dp/B00AZMGFI4/ref=asc_df_B00AZMGFI4/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312233019823&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6333861843420643132&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9002647&hvtargid=pla-761899060472&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=62869751700&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312233019823&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6333861843420643132&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9002647&hvtargid=pla-761899060472

LaBelle

I'll simply recommend LaBelle. They make some of the finest lubricants ever. And well suited for model railroading.

The LaBelle oil will slowly

The LaBelle oil will slowly soften that hardened goop from the factory greasing. Opening the mechanism and getting just enough oil in to coat all the surfaces, then leaving it for a day or so to soften the hard grease works wonders. If you need to remove all the old grease it is now soft enough to work without stressing any parts.

I have had to do this on a number of long stored engines, some bought used, and find it works well.

I still use the dreg 2 ounces

I still use the dreg 2 ounces of Dexron III Mercon ATF that I found in the container in the garage when I took over the last property 16 years ago.  So far, so good.  BTW, and speaking of brass clockworks, I took the mass out of our 45 year old Kieninger mantle clock and cleaned it with paint thinner.  Dipped.  Let it dry for two days, then inserted it into a baggie with about half a cup of ATF, shook it, hung it over an aluminum pie pan for a couple of days, assembled it, and it runs like....well....you know.  That was two years ago.