Lubricant Developments on British Rail

British Rail uses some 16M litres of lubricating oil p.a. at an approximate cost of £4M. There is scope for development work aimed at reducing lubricant costs and/or increasing their efficiency in use. This paper highlights dispersant and multigrade crankcase oil developments designed to produce savings in costs of lubricant, fuel and filters. It also outlines the improvements which have been effected in lubricants for specific purposes including plain axlebox bearings, D.M.U. gear boxes and fluid couplings etc. References to developments in bearing materials and to the shock pulse method of assessing the condition of roller bearings in situ are also included.