I would have never dreamed that there was that much clearance in the side rod systems on a steam locomotive. I do remember seeing the stick grease that was used, not only locomotives, but on equipment that I worked around in my early days in the refinery where I worked. I never looked at the grease fittings, but I figure they were the button type. Well thanks for the intelligence improvement, still hard to be believe that much clearance. Guess that's why they always shopped them to checks these things out, after a run, or at least a refuel/water, and a good shot of lube, until the fire was dumped, and boilers washed out, and smoke box cleaned, along with a multitude of other maintenance items.
Hot Water, did you have to change the oil tips very frequently when firing with oil, or was your all's system pretty clean, with exception of switching filter strainers?
