Re: Locomotive lubricators

Hydrostatic lubricators are generally found in the cab, almost always. They use steam and water to "push" the oil through to the airpump, usually it's the airpump. Sometimes they are even used to lubricate other cab appliances.
The steam comes into the bulb at the top of the lubriactor. It condenses in the bulb. Because water is "heavier" liquid when it condenses it mixes with the oil and it pushes the oil out of the bowl and pumps out. I think thats basically how the hydrostatic lubricator works. There are little site glasses on them. Sometimes they only have one, some have 6. Having that many glasses in a hydrostatic lubircator is pretty much the same as having pumps in a mechanical lubricator.
Mechanical lubricators I still have yet to understand well enough. I know it takes alot of pressure in the thing to make the oil pump out of it. I think it operates at boiler pressure, not sure though, that sounds like too much. I know that all of the K-36's and 37's, with the exception of 492 and maybe some others, had Detroit model A mechanical lubricators. 492 I know in Chama right now has a nathan lubricator.
Looking at a book of mine called Locomotive Lubricators, copyright 1943. The first section is on hydrostatic lubricators. Looking at a diagram of a 3 feed lubricator that is almost identical to the ones used in most of the power at the C&T, I tried to find the compnay name that made it, they just called a 3 feed lubricator.
I think 489 had a single feed one awhile ago too.
Thats about all I know for now!
Kevin Bush