Armstrong Oiler pads - How long do they last

Does anybody have any feedback (good or bad) about the life expectancy of armstrong oiler pads? i.e. how long they can be expected to last in traffic or how many miles one might expect to get from them before they start to deteriorate (glazing, dirtying etc)?

I am about to order some for a set of tender axleboxes, and want to get it clear in my own mind how many spares with would be worth getting.

Thanks
James

 

Provided that they are looked after and you keep water out of the axleboxes, I think that they will last a long time, especially on a tender. (Which is unfortunate for Armstrong Oilers business! )

 

Although it is worth having at least one set of spares as a collapsed or rolled pad can happen without warning, and a duff batch of oil (which does happen occasionally) can wrack a whole set in one go.

 

Why not give Dave at Armstrong oilers a ring, he makes them so should have all the answere's you need.

Armstrong Oilers are part of the N.Y.M.R.

 

Well, I was hoping for some operational experience to come to light.

No problem asking Artmstrong oilers, but there is the potential for a vested interest there isn't there? What would you answer to the question "How much of your product should I purchase?"

 

We have been running 5542 partly on them this year (about 4000 miles)and will be able to report on the one's on our loco in about 4 weeks time when we take the wheels out for re-tyring. We are going fully with them on the remaining axles after this winter so certainly our loco 'supremo' is convinced.

Supplies/billing/delivery is good.

John.

 

Official opinion is that we are very pleased with the results of the 4 pads fitted to 2 of our driving axles last winter and we will now be running on a full set following this winter's bottom end overhaul and re-tyring exercise. The 'old' ones will now be used in the ponies with 6 new ones fitted to the driving wheels.

Hope this helps.

John