Fuel oil: Locomotives in the North American market are fueled with No.2 diesel fuel which is approximately the same as home heating oil except for some additives. In other markets its referred to as gasohol. One requirement was that it contain no more than 0.2 percent sulfur and now with ultra-low sulfur fuel it all but disappear.
Lube Oil: EMD requires the use of low zinc oil, the zinc being the anti - wear additive zincthiosulphate because of its corrosive effects on the silver plated piston pin insert bearing and less so on the silver-plated bearing in the turbo. The EMD piston pin is drip lubricated instead of pressure lubricated because as a 2 stroke engine the peak firing pressure is half that of a similar sized 4 stroke engine and they could get away with it. The Navy, however, wanted to use MIL spec oil which is a one size fits all spec and doesn't exclude using zincthiosulfate. So that required developing the non silver insert bearing which became standard for blower engines and cost about $100 less. With the arrival of the trick rocking pin insert bearing for use in high horsepower turbo engines, the 645EB, 645EC, and the 645F engines specifically. Both EMD and GE are satisfied using the same specification oil. In other markets its referred to as "locomotive oil". Some marine operators have experience getting this type of oil in places like Africa and Sri Lanka. There are plenty of EMD locomotives worldwide so the trick is to ask for locomotive oil.
