Abstract: A solid lubricating composition useful for lubricating the flanges of railcar wheels and rails and for other similar applications. The lubricant composition comprises from about 16% to about 25% by weight of a polymeric carrier, from about 49% to about 63% of a lubricating oil, from about 10% to about 16% of a solid lubricating powder, and from about 6% to about 16% of a surface active agent, all percentages by weight of the total composition. The solid lubricant composition is mixed and introduced into a screw type extruder wherein it is heated and extruded through a die into a waterbath, forming an elastic rod or strand. The lubricant composition is applied to a surface to be lubricated by rubbing it onto the surface in a thin film. The surface active agent enhances the attachment and embedment of the dry lubricating powder into the surface being lubricated, the lubricant composition serving to reduce both wear and friction between contacting surfaces lubricated thereby.

Abstract: An applicator for mounting a block of solid lubricant to deposit a thin film of lubricant on the flange of a transit rail car wheel. The applicator (10) includes a bracket (12) adapted to mount the applicator to an unsprung portion of a transit rail car. A pivot arm (26) is pivotally connected at one end of bracket (12) and a block of solid lubricant (42) attached to a mounting plate (34) is bolted to the other end of the pivot arm. The block of solid lubricant is biased against the flange (40) of a transit car wheel by a torsion spring (28). A stop (32) prevents the pivot arm from contacting the wheel as the lubricant block wears by deposition of a thin film of lubricant on the rail car wheel flange as the wheel rolls.