STEAM LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEMAN’S. Manual - part 15

Chapter 8: - Lubricators 

 

 

CHAPTER 8 
 

LUBRICATORS  

 
 

8.1 

HYDROSTATIC LUBRICATOR 

 
 

A hydrostatic lubricator is fitted to the PB15 locomotive.  Its 
operation is described below. 

 
 

Refer to FIGURE 5 in Annex A. 

 
 

When the steam supply valve from the boiler and the steam 
valve on the lubricator are opened, steam enters the 
lubricator and flows through the equalising tubes and pipes 
to the steam chests and the air compressor. 

 
 

At the end of the equalising tubes it also flows into the sight 
feed chambers, where it is condensed, filling the sight feed 
chambers with water.  When the steam valve on the 
lubricator is opened further, boiler steam enters the 
condensing chamber and condenses into water. 

 
 

Upon opening the water valve, water from the condensing 
chamber travels down a passage, past the non return ball 
check valve, into the bottom of the oil chamber, and fills all 
the space not occupied by oil. 

 
 

Because of its lower specific gravity, the oil floats on the 
water and is maintained in the central passage past the 
control valve to the regulating valve passage. 

 
 

Upon opening the regulating valves the oil, due to its own 
buoyancy, rises drop by drop through the water in the sight 
feed glasses to the equalising passage, where it is caught by 
the jet of steam and carried through the steam pipes and 
past the choke valves in a state of emulsion, to the valves 
and pistons and Westinghouse pump. 

 

8.1.1  

OBSTRUCTED FEED NOZZLE 

 

 

If a feed nozzle is obstructed, the vent plug of 
the nozzle’s sight feed chamber is opened and 
closed quickly.  If the oil does not  start to flow, 
the vent port is opened wide and all water 
drained. 

 

Chapter 8: - Lubricators 

 

 

  

The escaping steam reduces the pressure in the 
feed valve chambers and increases the 
hydrostatic pressure. 

 
 

If this method fails, the regulating valve and the 
water valve are closed, and then the steam valve 
at the condensing chamber is gradually throttled 
to the point where the boiler pressure confined in 
the oil reservoir becomes sufficient to force the 
obstruction. 

 
 

Opening and closing the regulating valve while 
the lubricator is under pressure will often assist 
the removal of an obstruction. 

 
 

When other methods fail, the following should be 
carried out.  Place the oil control valve in the 
closed position.  Do not alter the other feed 
valves or close the steam or water valve.   

 
 

Remove the centre piece of the blocked feed 
valve.  Raise the ball check valve by inserting a 
wire in the feed nozzle, which allows the steam 
pressure in the sight feed chamber to force the 
obstruction out.  Replace the centre pieces, then 
re-open the oil control valve, and reset the 
affected feed valve. 

 

8.1.2  

OBSTRUCTION IN THE CHOKE PLUG AT THE 
STEAM CHEST 

 
 

Should the choke plug at the steam chest 
become blocked, no oil will pass to the steam 
chest.  The steam in the delivery pipe will 
condense and the pipe will be filled with water.   

 
 

This may be detected by feeling the feed pipe on 
the boiler side of the choke nipple, which will be 
cold if the choke is obstructed. 

 
 

To remedy the trouble, the feed pipe is 
uncoupled at the steam chest nipple and the 
choke plug is removed and cleaned. 

 
 

Steam from the lubricator is blown through the 
feed pipe, and the regulator is opened and 
steam blown from the steam chest.  This cleans 
both the delivery pipe and choke plug. 

 

Chapter 8: - Lubricators 

 

 

8.1.3  

SETTING CORRECT RATE OF LUBRICATION 

 
 

Oil should be used carefully with wastage 
avoided.  It must be ascertained that the 
hydrostatic lubricator has sufficient oil for the 
task and that sight feeds are clean and working 
correctly. 

 
 

One to two drops of oil per minute are sufficient 
for single stage Westinghouse pumps. 

 
 

Three drops per minute are sufficient for cylinder 
lubrication. 

 
 

The oil control valve is to be turned to the brake 
pump only setting when stopped for any length 
of time so as to avoid unnecessary feeding of oil 
to stationary valves and pistons. 

 

 

 

Refer to SECTION 3.7  for filling Lubricators. 

 
8.1.4  

AFTER STANDING FOR LONG PERIODS 

 

If Standing for any length of time always 
remember to return the Control Valve to ALL ON 
before moving the Locomotive. 
 
Drivers are to place a Red Cloth, or some other 
reminder, on the Regulator Handle to remind 
themselves to check the Control Valve is located 
to ALL ON before moving.  ALL ON is with the 
Control Valve pointing Down. 

 

 

 
8.2 

MECHANICAL LUBRICATOR 

 
 

The mechanical lubricator as applied to ‘Kilrie’, is an oil 
reservoir and is activated from a crank arm attached to the 
combination lever.  Inside the oil reservoir are plungers, 
connected by pipes to cylinders and valve chests. 

 
 

The engine must not be allowed to run without oil registering 
in the gauge under any circumstances 

 
 

Drivers must not allow the lubricator to be filled out of sight in 
the glass, or to overflow. 

 
 

The lubricator must always be cleaned thoroughly around 
the filling plug before removing it, so as to prevent any 
foreign matter from getting into the lubricator 

Chapter 8: - Lubricators 

 

 

8.3 

AUTOMATIC LUBRICATOR “TYPE B” ON THE AIR 
CYLINDER OF THE   WESTINGHOUSE PUMP 

 

8.3.1  

DESCRIPTION 

 
 

The lubricator is an oil chamber having a cap not 
on the top for filling purposes.  The cap nut is 
provided with vent holes, located so that when 
the seal, between the cap and the body is 
broken the air pressure is vented to the 
atmosphere, thus allowing the oil chambers to be 
filled while the pump is operating. 

 
 

Inside the body of the lubricator is a hollow 
central stem connected at the bottom with a pipe 
leading into the top end of the air cylinder.  The 
other end of the central passage has a side 
outlet inside the lubricator, to permit the chamber 
to be filled without the possibility of pouring oil 
direct into the central passage. 

 
 

An oil port  is located in the stem and connects 
with the central passage and the annular cavity 
in the stem, over which is a neat fitting sleeve. 

 

8.3.2  

OPERATION 

 
 

When the piston makes an upward stroke, air is 
forced from the cylinder by the piston and it 
passes through the pipe and central passage, 
and out of the side outlet into the space above 
the oil in the chamber.   

 
 

The pressure of air forces the oil through the 
notches between the sleeve and the stem and 
the oil then rises, due to capillary attraction.  It 
then passes through the oil port in the stem to 
the central passage. 

 
 

On the down stroke of the piston, the oil is 
carried with the flow of air regularly and 
sufficiently to lubricate the air cylinder. 

 

8.3.3  

TESTING 

 
 

The pump is shut off, the filling cap removed, 
and the pump restarted.  After noting that the air 
is passing out through the side opening, thus 
indicating that the central passage is clear, a 
finger is held tightly over the side outlet.