In the previous blog, we looked at the choice between spray and solid stick wheel flange lubrication. Whichever approach is right for the fleet, there is another factor that matters over the longer term: how much work it takes to keep the system performing.

Every time lubricant needs replenishing or a stick needs replacing, there is a cost attached. The product itself is only part of that. Maintenance time and the frequency of intervention all contribute to what wheel flange lubrication actually costs over the life of a fleet.

This is why RS Clare develops its wheel flange lubricants with more than initial performance in mind. ClareShield Onboard 000 and ClareShield EcoStick WFS use very different application methods, but both are designed to provide reliable wheel protection while helping operators get more from the lubricant they use.

Getting More from Onboard Spray Lubrication

With an onboard spray system, consistent delivery is important. The lubricant needs to spray accurately onto the wheel flange and continue doing so across the different conditions a train experiences in service.

ClareShield Onboard 000 is designed specifically for this type of application. Its stable gel formulation helps the lubricant stay on the wheel flange, while its consistency allows it to maintain a reliable spray pattern and volume across a wide temperature range. The product has been through OEM testing and is approved for equipment including REBS and Bijur Delimon.

For operators, this is about making sure the lubricant being carried onboard is actually being used effectively. A more consistent spray helps get the product where it needs to be, reducing unnecessary waste while maintaining protection at the wheel flange.

ClareShield Onboard 000 also provides wear protection under high-load conditions, helping protect both wheels and rails over time.

Making Solid Sticks Last Longer

With solid wheel flange lubrication, the maintenance conversation is slightly different. There is no grease reservoir to replenish, but the sticks themselves will eventually wear down and need replacing.

ClareShield EcoStick WFS has been developed to extend operational life and reduce how frequently solid lubrication sticks need to be replenished. In testing, EcoStick WFS has achieved significant reductions in stick consumption compared with competitor products, allowing each stick to remain in service for longer before replacement is needed.

That difference has also been seen in real-world testing. During a 35,000 km back-to-back trial on a European urban railway, a competitor stick was consumed three times faster than EcoStick WFS, with no difference in wheel wear recorded during the test.

For high-mileage fleets, that difference in consumption becomes much more significant. Extending the operational life of each stick means longer intervals between replacements, helping reduce the amount of lubricant used and the maintenance required to keep the system operating.

Looking Beyond the Cost of the Lubricant

A lower-cost product isn’t necessarily the lower-cost option if more of it is being consumed or maintenance teams need to replace it more frequently. The same applies to spray lubrication if inconsistent delivery means product isn’t reaching the wheel flange as intended.

The aim is to get more useful service from the lubricant while continuing to protect the wheel. For EcoStick WFS, extended operational life can increase the distance between stick changes. With Onboard 000, consistent spray performance helps operators make better use of the lubricant carried onboard.

Over the working life of a fleet, those differences add up. Lower consumption means less lubricant needs to be purchased and stored, while longer replenishment intervals can reduce the amount of maintenance time spent keeping the lubrication system operating.

System Thinking at InnoTrans 2026

This is another part of the System Thinking approach RS Clare will be showcasing at InnoTrans 2026.

Choosing between spray and stick lubrication is only the first decision. Operators also need to consider how reliably the lubricant will be applied, how frequently it will need replenishing and what that means across the life of the fleet.

ClareShield Onboard 000 and ClareShield EcoStick WFS show two different ways of approaching that requirement. One is designed to provide accurate and reliable spray lubrication, while the other focuses on extending the operational life of solid wheel flange lubrication.

At InnoTrans 2026, visitors will be able to see both solutions and speak to the RS Clare team about how wheel flange lubrication can be matched to the operating and maintenance requirements of their fleet.

The final blog in our System Thinking series will bring the full Wheel Rail Interface together and look at what RS Clare will be showcasing at InnoTrans 2026.