Anybody have any comment on biodegradeable supplies? I am thinking, as environmental standards become more stringent, we are faced with either capture and treatment of our locomotive hostling mess, or adoption of all biodegradeable materials.

Would biodegradeable supplies allow us to skip installation of drains and retention pits in a new locomotive depot?

Greetings:
Valley Railroad has tried a couple of brands of bio-degradeable oil over the last couple of years for use on side and main rod bearings and general "oiling around".
They seem "OK" durnig the warm weather, but stratify and get gummy once the temperature gets below 40 degrees fahrenheit.
They also seem to mix with any water that gets into the oil cup/pocket or whatever rather than floating the oil.
J.David

.

Yes we are going BACK to using it. Past results were reportedly quite satisfactory. The State of WV changed to a different (and cheaper) oil a few years back made by Environmental Lubricant Manufacturing. The specific stuff was "ELM Open Gear Lubricant ISO 120"

Run a way from the stuff......

It has a paraffin based tackifier (sp?) that turns to wax and coat the bearings, journal boxes, waste, etc. The wax is difficult to remove. Nasty stuff.