Revolutionizing Railway Maintenance: Wheel Flange Lubrication Explained

The core challenge in railway operations has always been the wheel-rail interface. As steel wheels grind against steel rails—especially along tight curves—the friction generates immense heat, acoustic noise, and rapid material degradation (gauge face wear).

Trackside vs. Onboard Lubrication Systems

To combat this, the industry relies on two primary application methods. Trackside Lubricators are installed at specific curves and dispense grease onto the passing wheels. Onboard Systems are mounted directly on the locomotive, spraying precise amounts of lubricant directly onto the wheel flange based on distance or time.

How LUBERR's Trackluberr Solves the Problem

LUBERR engineered the Trackluberr series to address the most challenging aspects of rail friction management. Available in Hydraulic, Electric, and Solar-powered variants, the system can be deployed in the most remote locations without access to grid power.

By applying highly specialized friction modifiers directly to the gauge face, Trackluberr drastically lowers the friction coefficient. This not only prevents the wheels from grinding the track away, but it also eliminates the high-pitched "squeal" typically heard as trains navigate sharp curves in urban metro environments.

Measuring Success with LUBERR Tribometers

You cannot manage what you cannot measure. LUBERR's Tribometers allow rail maintenance crews to accurately measure the coefficient of friction directly on the track. This precise data ensures that the lubrication systems are dispensing the exact correct volume—preventing over-lubrication (which can cause traction loss) and under-lubrication (which causes wear).