Purpose. To formulate the requirements for the basic properties of lubricants suitable for use in the systems of on-board lubricators of rail vehicles. To develop a generalized algorithm for controlling the devices of the lubrication system of rail vehicles and to propose a method for controlling the lubrication system of the wheel flanges of a rail vehicle, which makes it possible to turn on the system in advance in order to prevent an increase in the interaction forces of the wheel flanges and rails during the entry to the curved section of the rail track, as well as on the turnouts. Methodology. Research methods include statistical analysis of the results of experimental tests of the properties of existing and proposed lubricants on the STs-2 friction machine and in the conditions of real operation of the rolling stock of JSCUkrzaliznytsia. Findings. Based on the results of operational tests, it was found that Relsol-M lubricant, which is regenerated, homogenized and modified with solid lubricating impurities, even with an expired shelf life, retains and demonstrates the transfer effect on all wheels of the VL11m/6 locomotive, and also slows down the wear rate of the combs of the wheel rims which were not chiseled during the tests by 3.57 times and the combs of the bandages which were chiseled during the tests by 4.25 times. Mariol NT demonstrated the effect of reducing the intensity of wear processes of the ridges of locomotive tires in the mode of freight traffic in relatively light track conditions by 2.5 times, and in more difficult road conditions by 5 times. Originality. Requirements for the basic properties of lubricants, which are suitable for use in on-board lubricator systems of rail vehicles, have been formulated. Practical value. A generalized algorithm for controlling the lubrication system of railway rolling stock is developed and a method for controlling the lubrication system of the flanges of the rail rolling stock is proposed, which makes it possible to turn on the lubrication system in advance when a rail vehicle enters a curved section of the track, as well as a turnout.
