New Railway-Track Lubricant Made from Soybeans
Norfolk Southern Railway is using a new, environmentally preferable track lubricant made from soybeans. Read More
Norfolk Southern Railway is using a new, environmentally friendly track lubricant made from soybeans. Soytrak, a biodegradable soybean oil-based grease is replacing petroleum-based grease for lubricating rails to reduce rail slide wear and flange wear in curves.
Norfolk Southern Railway covers 21,500 route miles in 22 states, the District of Columbia and Ontario. It is the nation’s largest rail carrier of automotive parts and finished vehicles.
Three years of research and testing were funded and carried out by Norfolk Southern, The University of Northern Iowa’s Ag-based Industrial Lubricants Research Program and Portec Rail Products Inc. Results of the testing paved the way for its use on the tracks.
Environmental Lubricants Manufacturing, the producers of Soytrak, have developed a summer and winter grade of lubricant and have an all-season blend in the works. The manufacturers state that a major benefit for their product is that Soytrak decomposes through natural processes and it is better at reducing wear due to greater durability and capacity for reducing friction.
The use of bio-based lubricants falls in line with the current initiatives of the Farm Bill and the strategic emphasis on the use of bio-based products.
