Wheel flange lubricating system - products - Brief Article

Railway Age, Dec, 2003

As an alternative to flange spray and grease lubricants, MPL Technology, Inc. offers Solidstick[TM], a patented, extreme-pressure solid polymer to reduce friction on curves as well as truck hunting on tangent track. Burlington Northern and Santa Fe finished equipping 4,000 locomotives with Solidstick this fail "After abandoning a spray-lube system that turned out to be expensive and nearly impossible to maintain, we put MPL's system through rigorous testing and analysis," says B.J.

Ryan, assistant vice president and chief mechanical officer-South for the Class I. "We have found it to be more cost effective and much easier to maintain." Besides realizing reductions in maintenance and operating costs, including reduced flange wear and wheel truing requirements, as well as increased rail life and reduced reliance on trackside lubricators, railroads like BNSF also can save on fueling, according to MPL President Michael Mitrovich. Mitrovich reports that one short line customer using Solidstick averages a nearly 12% fuel savings. The Solidstick applicator can be mounted onto existing locomotive truck-assembly brackets for lubricant application to the wheel-flange throat. Sticks can be replaced at trackside. (425) 398-1310; E-mail: info@mpltechnology.com.