Trains.com

Steam Engine Driver bearing lubrication

1544 views
1 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Steam Engine Driver bearing lubrication
Posted by BaltACD on Sunday, September 27, 2015 6:25 PM

I am well aware of how external axle bearing lubrication was handled in the pre-roller bearing days, however, how were the driver axle bearings on steam engines lubricated in the pre-roller bearing days - being internal to the driving wheels? 

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Henrico, VA
  • 8,955 posts
Posted by Firelock76 on Sunday, September 27, 2015 8:56 PM

There were oil cups located above the bearings on the driver axles.  Ever see those looooong-nosed oil cans used by engineers?  That's how they reached those cups for filling when they "oiled around" during stops.

That's how it was done in the classic era.  I suspect in the late steam era there was probably an oil reservoir with a force-feed system to the driver axles.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy