Use of rail lubrication?

Hello alltogether,

I wondered whether some heritage railways started to use rail lubrication systems, in order to reduce wear and tear on track and on the wheelsets. Nowadays, many railways started to use these systems, because they amortise quite fast and are helpful for maintenance and have many other benefits (quieter, securer,..).
In my opinion, heritage railways with small radiuses should use these systems, because they are economically beneficial ( for example the Mountsorrel Railway has some very littel radiuses and everytime the train runs through these curves, it is very loud and the poor wheelsets (flange) won't survive too long...) and are easy to install.

Videos, where you can see several proven systems ( I do not advertise any of these companies and I am not a salesman of these systems)



There are several companies who offer competitive systems. At critical places, a rail lubricator could effectively safe money and time for maintenance, therefore it is worth to think about these systems.

 

As has the NYMR. Others use lubrication sticks on the locos, deployed directly onto the flanges

 

We've just installed our first one at Matlock recovered from the national network with my colleague from the North Staffs Railway who also have some tight curves, if the Technology is available use it,its there to help

 

As have SpaVR. Essential for reducing flange root wear and side cut on rails. Far far cheaper in terms of cost and manhours than replacing tyres and turning rails etc. The bright yellow rail side canisters are a worthwhile price to pay.
We also use the Network Rail approved lubricating fluid on fishplates which eliminates the need to undo the bolts every year and get covered in thick black goo. The Fluid is amazing in its ability to penetrate.

Brian

 

Also in Oswestry. We might like to hear flange squeal as part of our recreation of the past but those with houses next to tight curves soon start to get brassed off.

 

Ribble Steam Railway/Ribble Rail have been using flange lubrication systems since they took charge of the Preston Dock Railway system.

3155

 

Of hand, I think we have 8 sets in place along the NYMR.

 

So we have had a thread on the gradient profile of the UKs heritage railway; I am not sure we have ever had a discussion on the curves........ which railway is the straightest and which the most curvey?

I am going to go out on a limb and say that the straightest has to be between the GCR and the MHR?

 

Just reckoned up for the NYMR Pickering to Grosmont.
Right hand curves - 31
Left hand curves - 23
Straights - 20

This makes no allowances for Curve radius or for compound curves were there are 2 or more stretches of curve of different radii within the whole curve.
There may also be some small left and rights that I have missed.

 

Several in use for years on the WSR. Need to be careful not to grease the rails too much

And to join in the 'curvy stats' fun, the WSR weighs in with approx 22 right curves and approx 25 left curves. And approx 19 straights, including Minehead-Ker Moor (2m40ch), Horse Parks-Bilbrook (1m10ch) and the Norton Straight (68ch).

Steve

 

Does not the concept of left and right depend on the direction, which is unspecified?

 

The Bluebell is another line with flange lubricators installed.

Tom

 

The recognised method of defining LEFT and RIGHT hand is to stand with your back to low mileage.
This has been the practice for most of the history of rail throughout the country.

 

True but, unlike you, WSW didn't specify which direction (and the list of straights implied from Minehead, which I think is up).

 

Depends whether you are sitting facing the engine or not

Steve
ps for the sake of correctness, I counted looking down the branch.

 

As you leave Kidderminster Town (135m 40ch), the mileage decreases until you reach Kidderminster Junction (135m 21ch) then starts to increase again towards Bewdley. That means the first right hand bend before the Diesel Depot is a left hand bend, but the second right hand bend under Hoo Road Bridge is a right hand bend.

 

Typical GW line.
Anything to be awkward.

 

The straightest undoubtedly has to be the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway. Not only is it completely straight, it has to extend some way before not being completely straight. Before closure, the original line included the second-longest stretch of straight track in the country (second only to that between Selby and Hessle).

 

There's also a pair of duplicate mileposts near Bewdley, just to confuse further!

Bewdley South to Bridgnorth is measured from Paddington via Worcester, Oxford and Didcot. Kidderminster to Bewdley South is also measured from Paddington - but with a reversal at Kidderminster Jn, which obviously is a slightly longer route. Therefore when you get to Bewdley South the mileage drops a bit.