Polymer on rails

[FJ and G]

I’ve found that TV tuner sprayed on the rails sparingly makes the trains run better. They seem to glide over the tracks with ease. Real railroads are now using a product that makes trains run better as well.

I was browsing through the Feb01 Mechanical Engineering magazine and found an article about reducing rail friction and making the real trains glide.

The product, a synthetic polymer called TracGlide, is sprayed on the rails from a locomotive nozzle. This works esp. well on curves, replacing the traditional grease lubing devices found trackside (neat to model as well).

The testing period was 7 years and the company is Friction Management Services.

The polymer coefficient is 0.15 and that of traditional grease is 0.05. This translates to fuel savings of about 10 percent----crucial in these days of rising fuel costs. The polymer operates in temps as low as –45 deg. F. Friction Mgt Serv is a joint venture of Tranergy and The Timken Co.

[Anonymous]

TV Tuner Spray contains a lubricant to ease the old tuner plates friction during rotation.

the following warnig is probably unnecessary:
dont spray electronic components with TV Tuner.
electronics dont like to be lubed.[;)]

[Big_Boy_4005]

That article about the real railroads spraying the rails sounds a little odd. Railroads don't want the cars to glide, it reduces the effectiveness of the breaks. What they want is for the wheels to roll smoothly, hence the roller bearings on the axles.

Engines especially want friction between the wheel and the rails, and even use sand to increase that friction.

As for the models, be careful about what you put on your rails. It may seem helpful in the short term, but could leave you spending a long time cleaning your track later.

[jkerklo]

I have seen references to lubing the rails before. It was my understanding that it was only done on curves and only on the inside of the inside rail.

John Kerklo
TCA 94-38455
www.Three-Rail.com