By John DeGaspari, Associate Editor T esting the oil of diesel locomotives gives operators valuable information about engine operating conditions. Oil analysis is a tool for evaluating diesel engines for telltale signs of bearing and ring wear, heat degradation, and dirt contamination. However, the process of obtaining an oil sample is both costly and time-consuming. Typically, locomotives are taken into a service center, where an oil sample is drawn manually from the engine, put into a vial, and sent off to a laboratory for evaluation.
Results can take days, or even weeks.
Analyses are normally performed on locomotive engines every 92 days, during regularly scheduled maintenance. An alternative system developed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory of Richland, Wash., promises to give railroads a window on engine performance in near real time, and eliminate the need to obtain oil samples. Mont. The company plans to incorporate the OilPro in a service to its customers beginning early next year. As its name suggests, OilPro will have predictive capability, offering railroads the opportunity to improve maintenance scheduling, according to Kingdon Gould, LRC's project manager. The service will provide diagnostic oil analysis that is currently supplied by off-site laboratories.