As a rail passenger, lubrication might not be the first thing you think about – but you certainly notice it when it’s not doing its job. The right lubrication balance is crucial in keeping wheels, rails and points – and indeed services – running smoothly. 

At the point where advanced lubricants and physical line maintenance meet, two specialist companies have come together to develop new, more sustainable, more operationally reliable ways to lubricate and maintain railways.

A unified vision for the future of rail transport

As a global specialist in lubrication, FUCHS provides a technically advanced product portfolio and valuable expertise when it comes to sustainability. Subvenio Rail is responsible for ensuring the lubrication has the intended effect. With a background in safety, and responsibility for ongoing maintenance and line safety for mass transit operators, Subvenio has built itself a strong position in rail-based environments. 

Thanks to this combination, Subvenio has something quite unique to offer: a total solution that spans everything from analysis and risk assessment, choice of lubricants and systems, to installation, tuning and long-term monitoring in the operating environment. 

Clear results from Saltsjöbanan

For several years now Saltsjöbanan – an electrified suburban rail system in Stockholm – has been making headlines. At 125 years old, the line has been upgraded several times. But in its latest incarnation, after extensive rebuilding and refurbishment, tests revealed extreme wear on the wheels – so extreme, in fact, that services had to be suspended again, leading to significant disruption for passengers. In just one day, the wheels had 3–4 millimetres of wear, a figure normally associated with a full three-month period.

The tracks were too dry. The lubrication balance was not having the intended effect, despite new lubrication systems and major investments. It is this balance that’s so important. Lubrication prevents damage to the wheels and tracks, but too much can cause safety risks when braking and accelerating. 

Intense efforts were initiated to get the line properly lubricated and get services back up and running. After several companies had addressed the problem and not found a fully functioning solution, the operator turned to Subvenio Rail.

From analysis to perfect lubrication balance

Aware that other providers had not managed to solve the problem, Subvenio took a step back, carefully considering, testing and analysing possible solutions. Where should the lubrication units be fitted? How much lubricant needed to be released? What greases were needed? Was more lubrication necessary? And so on. They then set out a multi-stage action plan.

“We took a methodical approach and began by clearing out all the old grease. We spoke to Magnus Björnberg at FUCHS and decided to use their Gleitmo RFL ECO grease, which is proven to withstand our Nordic climate,” says Valentin Bjurulf, CEO of Subvenio Rail. “And to ensure the right lubrication balance along the entire line, we also systematically lubricated every metre of track manually.”

The new grease was crucial. A major problem had previously been that lubricants dried out or were washed off by rain, depending on the weather, so clearly the Nordic climate demanded something different to what is normally used by Swedish railways. Thanks to FUCHS, Subvenio could quickly source a specially adapted grease with excellent adherence, which also retains its properties in the heat, cold and wet. It also carries the EU Ecolabel, which is a far better environmental classification than previous alternatives. 

And the benefits were soon evident.

“On day one with our solution in place, measurements showed zero millimetres of wheel wear,” says Valentin Bjurulf. “And when the assignment came to an end several months later, there was still no wear. That’s when you know you’ve really found the right lubrication balance.”

A collaboration based on experience

Subvenio is a relatively new company, and the reason they were even approached about a solution to Saltsjöbanan’s persistent problems was because of previous experiences with Roslagsbanan, another of Greater Stockholm’s railway lines. On Roslagsbanan, standard solutions were rarely enough to deal with issues such as low adhesion due to leaf fall, snow removal and lubrication of sharp bends: lubricants would run off, systems were wrongly located or poorly tuned, and conditions on paper were often far removed from the reality on the actual line.

FUCHS became a key partner, with a broad portfolio of special lubricants for rail traffic and a focus on the Nordic climate. While Subvenio charted problems and lubrication patterns out on the tracks, FUCHS could fine-tune or develop new products and dosages based on real-life data.

“It’s hugely beneficial to have a close collaboration like this,” says Magnus Björnberg, Business Development Manager Specialities at FUCHS. “When Subvenio identify a problem on the line, we want to be able to respond with a product and application that gets the job done right there – regardless of load and weather conditions. After all, it’s only when the product is tested in a real-life railway environment that we can truly see the effect.”

“It’s great having a partner that takes our field observations seriously and is prepared to develop products and application methods in consultation with us. That drive, to develop as the customer requires, is something I really respect about FUCHS,” says Valentin Bjurulf. “They’re not satisfied with just selling a grease; they want to understand what happens on the line and improve their solutions accordingly.”

“I also like Subvenio’s sense of curiosity and their eagerness to develop,” Magnus Björnberg continues. They’re always open to new perspectives and trying new approaches – and they clearly know what they’re doing. I think it’s relevant that they originate from a different background, so they don’t get stuck in the industry's 'this is how we've always done it' mindset. 

An industry with a future

While the collaboration is currently focused on Swedish projects, there are clearly similar needs across the Nordic countries. Public transport is set to increase, new lines are being built and older ones are being upgraded – all while there are stronger requirements on sustainability, noise reduction and cost control.