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Steam Engine Driver bearing lubrication

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  • 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.

  • 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!

              

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