Wheel Flange Lubrication

The wheel flange lubrication, or rail flank lubrication, is a component with which the wheel flange is lubricated. It serves to minimize the wear of the rails. This is caused by the friction of the flange of the iron wheels on the inner sides/flanks of the rails. The wheel flange is a small rim that is attached to the side of the wheels and thus prevents the rail from derailing. It also prevents the noise generated by friction during cornering. This is especially essential in residential areas.

The lubricant consists of ordinary grease or felt soaked in grease. This grease is sprayed through a nozzle at specific intervals onto the wheel flange of the first axle. The challenge here is to ensure that the grease is really only distributed on the wheel flange. If any of it gets onto the rails, the train can neither brake nor start.