Automatic Lubricator
![Modern locomotive lubricators. The centre item is a mechanical lubricator for the cylinders, operated by the connecting lever seen below it (or by the hand wheel, for priming). The smaller one to the right is a drip-feed lubricator.](/Images/godic/202412/22/60163_Tornado_pipework_23455.jpg")
![Wakefield displacement lubricator mounted on a locomotive boiler backplate](/Images/godic/202412/22/Wakefield_Lubricator3455.jpg")
![Patent drawing of the original Midland Railway version of the Silverton mechanical lubricator as reproduced in the December 1911 issue of 'The Engineer' magazine.](/Images/godic/202412/22/Silverton_mechanical_lubricator3455.jpg")
![Nathan mechanical lubricator fitted to South Maitland Railway ten class loco No.18 in preservation.](/Images/godic/202412/22/Nathan_mechanical_lubricator3455.JPG")
An automatic lubricator, is a device fitted to a steam engine to supply lubricating oil to the cylinders and, sometimes, the bearings and axle box mountings as well. There are various types of automatic lubricator, which include various designs of displacement, hydrostatic and mechanical lubricators.