An applicator assembly for delivery of a pumpable material to a top surface of a rail head includes an applicator body having a plurality of orifices. The body is resiliently yieldable to permit the applicator body to move from a raised position, in which the orifices are located adjacent the top surface of the rail head and open toward the top surface of the rail head for delivery of lubricant directly from the orifices to the top surface of the rail head, to a depressed position in the event the applicator is contacted by a train wheel. The applicator body thereafter returns to the raised position. A metal portion of the applicator body contacts a side surface of the rail head to form a metal-on-metal hard seal extending lengthwise of the rail head for inhibiting leakage of the pumpable material from the top of the rail head.