I built a 12" scale steam locomotive years ago and now I'm working on a steam powered cycle. When I bought the castings ETC for the loco I bought several quarts of soluble (or steam cylinder) oil which was recommended. It seems that this oil has been used from time immemorial for steam engines. Now I am running low and wondering what if I was to use ordinary lubricating oil? My locomotive has a pump lubricator and the cycle a displacement lubricator. The reason that I am considering this is that I've put a feedwater heater on the cycle and I'd like to reuse the condensate that comes out of the heater. I would like to put it into a column made of plastic pipe and drain the distilled water out the bottom but I find that with the soluble oil it does not separate well enough. Any thoughts?
Engineman