Wondering what other lines are using in their steam locomotive air compressors. Our Heisler runs a single lung Westinghouse, steam oil on the steam side naturally, but we've been experimenting with the air side lubrication. Originally we were using Estrolene, but it has been off the market for some time now, so we've tried ATF with moderate success, though it tends to carb up after awhile. 30 weight SAE motor oil has also been recommended, but as our locomotives are not super heated the high viscosity seems to be giving the oil a little too much room to travel. Currently we're looking at a synthetic 20 weight, but I would love to hear any suggestions on what does and doesn't work.

Thanks in Advance, Taylor

At Greenfield Village we have been using Interlube's Carbonless Air Compressor Oil with good results.

More information is available here

http://www.interlubecorporation.com/pdf ... sorOil.pdf



Dave Sutter

If you want to stay with a synthetic oil then try Anderol.
http://www.anderol.com/index_noflash.php
Or carbonless air oil from Interlube. In my opinion this is the better air side oil for the compressors.
http://www.interlubecorporation.com/

Interlube's Carbonless Air oil for sure. It's good stuff!

On a budget? You can use simple ATF, otherwise known as automatic transmission fluid. If you go into the chemical breakdown of the stuff, you'll see its nearly an exact mirror of any of the more expensive air compressor oils. Been using the stuff for years with 100% success.

Have used Marvel Mystery Oil with good results and currently using standard Air Compressor Oil available at most hardware stores on our saturated 11" single pumps.

You are working with the air side of the steam powered air pump... super heated vs. saturated steam shouldn't matter because the air side doesn't contact the steam.

What you are dealing with in basically a compressed air system just like any other locomotive (steam or diesel) and should choose an appropriate compressor lubrication oil for an air compressor and air brake system with a flash point that is well above that of ATF to eliminate the risk of carbon buildup in the check valves and through the air system of the locomotive.

I agree with the recommendation for carbonless air compressor oil due to the high flash point and the lubrication properties specifically tuned for air compressors.

Whenever possible I've used estrolene or Interlube with great results - I've heard some stories about some incompatabilities between some compressor oils and the rubber components oin some newer generation brake system components. Since I'm strictly nothing newer than K14 and K triples, I've never had that problem with any lube i've used, but maybe somebody who has had such problems will share that information here.

dave