A modern day flange greaser.
© David Meaden

Just in case, some might not be au fait with this little gadget which greased the inside edge of the outer curve to minimise wear and prolong the life of the rail.

They are usually found near the beginning of a curve, one popular variant was the 'Hurcoll' wherein the wheel flange pressed a plate fitted parallel with the inside of the rail, thus working [via an ram] a grease pump which distributed grease through tubes to the inner face of the flange, the train wheels spreading it further along the line.




'The Railway Book' 1936 John Anderson



I'd be interested to know how the new ones work!


Doug

Hi Doug,
I think the new ones work in much the same way as in your diagram. There are at least three different variants of flange greaser on the current Cambrian coast line between Machynlleth and Pwllheli.
I'm told that the 'modern' approach is to fit flange greasing devices onto trains as they are easier to set up and maintain.
Regards
David

Thanks, David 

Doug