Even after nearly two centuries of service, railroad technology continues to evolve. Argonne is evaluating a computerized lubrication system developed by Tranergy Corporation that applies lubricant to both rails as the train passes by.
Photos show the nozzle and tank components of the system.
The problem has been that the railroad industry has yet to find a really effective rail lubrication technology. This one holds a lot of promise. The lubricant additives are formulated and applied in such a way that they function as a lubricant for a limited period. After the train passes over the lubricated sections, the lubricant degrades and no longer functions. Alzoubi and his colleagues are collecting and qualitatively identifying any volatile and semivolatile degradation compounds produced by using TOR lubricant.