Estrolene DOES cause swelling and softening of all rubber components and I would strongly suggest that it not be used for steam locomotive air systems. I do not know what effects anderol has if any.
Several years ago it was suggested to me by the President of Touchton Air Brake that I try using ATF. After looking at the operating conditions that ATF is designed to operate in I decided to give it a try...I went with Mobil 1 synthetic ATF and had great results. The beauty of ATF is that it WILL NOT carbonize in air pump service and it is a 99% match (quoting Pres of TABCO) to Wabco air brake oil...that is to say it is entirely compatible with air brake rubber. Also, it is GREATLY more economical than either of the other previously mentioned products.

My two cents...spend it wisely.

First of all, I presume that your air compressor has separate lubricators for the steam and air sides. TVRM 610 has operated for 16 years with 26 equipment and we've not had any major issues. We installed G-W 824 and 818 filters in the air system to filter all air from the compressor. We also added automatic drain valves to deal with the moisture from the humid southern air we have down here. I know the purists hate ADV's but they make a difference. Another thing we did (off-topic but important) is put a Prime Manufacturing in-line check valve between the reservoirs. Only the power reverse and brake system is served by the reservoir downstream of the check valve.

Old reservoirs can be full of crud and without a filter, that stuff can find its way to the pipe bracket and plug any of the chokes or openings.

I understand that Lubrication Specialties has developed an air compressor lubricant for the air side that should answer all these issues. We need Bill Petitjean to chime in with details.

Early in my career when we were rebuilding 14 and 6 equipment we were using ATF as the lubricant during the rebuilding. We were following the advise of New York Air Brake. It worked very well. I know A&R has used ATF over the years when working on 26 equipment. It seems to work well.

John Bohon

G-W used to catalog a variant of the 824 that is equipped as a coalescer in addition to the centrifugal separation and filtration functions.

If one chooses to travel that route, the flange fittings will need to come from another supplier, i.e. Strato.

Dave