US Patent 7121383 Wayside rail lubrication apparatus and method

A wayside lubrication apparatus (10) for applying a lubricant (26) in response to the presence of a train (14) on the rail (14). To avoid excessive lubricant on the rail, lubricant may be applied in response to a second train only if a predetermined time period has elapsed between first and second trains. The amount of lubricant applied in response to the second train may be controlled by refilling a lubricant container (68) at a controlled rate. The application of lubricant may be terminated before a number of rearmost load cars (46) of the train pass the lubricant applicator (28) so that the quantity of lubricant remaining on the rail is reduced by the wheels (40) of the cars at the end of the train. This prevents the lubricant from reducing the traction capability of the drive wheels (38) of the next oncoming locomotive (16). Operation of the lubricant dispensing apparatus (22) may be bypassed by an operator-controlled bypass device (60) located on-board the train.