Ted,

On the Timken roller rod bearings that were used in the U.S., they originally used a heavy weight oil for lubrication. SKF also made roller rod bearings, but I don't believe any U.S. railways used these (they were used in South Africa and elsewhere). The SKF bearings used grease lubrication, and supposedly were less prone to throwing excess lubricant all over the drive wheels (which can have disastrous effects on traction).

I seem to remember hearing that they were using grease on the N&W 611's rod bearings when it was operating in the 80's and 90's based on recommendations from Timken. The only other roller rod engine operated relatively recently was the C&O 614. During its restoration in the 1980's, a hose reel was mounted on an unused braket just behind the rearmost driver on the fireman's side (the bracket was originally there for a Hancock feedwater heater system the C&O had removed from the engine in the 1950's). Lube (not sure what kind) was piped from the tool car to this hose reel, which allowed easy lubrication of the rod bearings on the road.

Good Steaming,
Hugh Odom

> What kind of lube is used for these?

> Thanks in advance.


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