Oil

[John Ashworth]

Working with oils...

Photos and captions by Nathan.

1. One of the very important tasks in keeping the wheels rolling, is the checking and filling of the oil axlew boxes of our locos and coaches. Here we see Spikkels at work with a Jumbo oil feeder, wetting up the wool trimmings in the axle box of 19D 2650.

2. Prior to running the Witbank Marathon, thorough checks are done on locos and rolling stock axle boxes. Here we see the buckeye bogeys of the 19D 2650, with cover plates off, being prepared for oiling and inspection. Without this form of attention, the axle boxes can run hot.

3. See caption.

[Lloyd Bekker]

This is fascinating !
I never realised that there was wool inside the axle boxes.
Although now that I think about it, its quite clever.
Thanks for the photos - great !