I can hear the jokes already: An unlikely new and environmentally friendly track lubricant - made from soybeans - is now in use on Norfolk Southern Railway. SoyTrakTM biodegradable soybean oil-based grease is being used as an alternative to petroleum-based grease for lubricating rails to reduce rail side wear and wheel flange wear in curves. "Soybean grease is better for the environment, competitively priced and very effective," said John M. Samuels, senior vice president operations planning and support. "It can increase the life of rail on curves substantially." Norfolk Southern's Research and Test Department in Roanoke, Va., and the University of Northern Iowa's Ag-Based Industrial Lubricants Research Program, in partnership with exclusive distributor Portec Rail Products Inc., invested three years of laboratory and rail environment site research to ensure that the grease's performance met the demanding requirements of freight railroads. Formulated from U.S.-grown soybean oils and additives, SoyTrak is produced by Environmental Lubricants Manufacturing in Waverly, Iowa. "Norfolk Southern's approval, after extensive research, including tests at the Association of American Railroads' Transportation Technology Center, gives new credibility to bio-based products," said Lou Honary, UNI professor and director of the university's lubricants research program. Summer- and winter-grade blends are in use, and an all-season blend is being developed. "SoyTrak decomposes through natural processes in a matter of weeks after application, so it's beneficial for the environment," said Don Cregger, NS manager project engineering. "It's more efficient than petroleum grease in reducing wear through its greater durability and capacity for reducing friction." In a letter to Norfolk Southern, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa said, "Your company's decision to use bio-based lubricants is indicative of your appreciation for the initiatives of the Farm Bill and recent strategic emphasis on the use of bio-based products." U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa added that, "Bio-based alternatives open new markets for Iowa agricultural products."
Before I get into the beans/gas/toot jokes, I'll mention this: There have been companies that have used soybeans as a fuel source. By a special process, they have produced biodiesel, which burns cleaner than petroleum-based diesel fuel. Here is the website for more info. I'm not a big-time bunny-and-tree-hugging environmentalist, but this site is pretty interesting. [ 03. March 2003, 05:20: Message edited by: friscobob ]
The use of environmental friendly products is a great advance for railroads. The amount of grease that gets used is incredible and cause ecological damage along the corridor. We use quite a great deal of grease to lubricate rail and llubricate switches. To reduce the use of grease on switches we are installing switch rollers that lift the switch of the chair and roll the switch. Allin alll the less petrolium based greases used must be an advantage
In the New York City Subway System, we use water to lube the tight curves at the South Ferry loop. The approaching train sets the sprinklers off. Safest thing to use under ground.
I sense a link somewhere between the sewage and beans, but..............naaaaahhhhhhhh, not going there....
Huh, sometimes I find myself in a "bind" after eating beans. LOL. Gil, the spray is very fine, and runs right along the drainage ditch along with the raw sewerage (eyes burning) that (cough) Russ (wheeze) mentioned (hack). If New Yorkers can survive the subway what's a little nerve gas or germ warfare anyway??????? WE SCOOF AT THAT! We've had some sewer main breaks here that have poured so much water into some stations, that it actually has reached the platforms! And Russ will tell ya that was on the elevated platforms! The third rail gets shut down mighty fast when that stuff happens.
Surviving a packed, standing room only A-train at rush hour IS germ warfare. It is a prerequisite to avoid wearing deodorant or actually bathing before riding the subway. Johnny is right about the flooding too. I have seen cascades of water pouring down tunnel walls, down stairs and trains still running!!!! Russ
