A solid stick composition for use on steel surfaces that are in sliding or rolling-sliding contact. The solid stick composition comprises a vinyl ester resin, for example, from about 20 to about 80 weight percent vinyl ester resin, a solid lubricant, for example from about 0 to about 80 weight percent lubricant, and optionally a friction modifier, for example from about 0 to about 40% weight percent friction modifier, or a combination of a solid lubricant and a friction modifier. The solid stick comprises at least one of the lubricant or the friction modifier. A method of controlling friction between a metal surface and a second metal surface by applying the solid stick composition to one or more than one of the metal surfaces is also disclosed as well as a method of reducing lateral force in a rail system comprising applying the solid stick composition onto a wheel or rail surface.