Railcar mover
A railcar mover is a road–rail vehicle (capable of travelling on both roads and rail tracks) fitted with couplers for moving small numbers of railroad cars around in a rail siding or small yard. They are extensively used by railroad customers because they are cheaper than owning a switcher locomotive, more convenient and cheaper than paying the railroad operator to do the switching, easier and more productive than manual moving of cars, and in addition they are more versatile since they can travel on road wheels to the cars they need to move, instead of needing clear track.
Manufacturers
Numerous manufacturers produce railcar movers, in multiple countries.
North America
North American brands include Trackmobile,[1] Nordco Shuttlewagon,[2] BOSS,[3] Rail King [4] and Geismar.[5]
Ireland
An Irish brand is Unilokomotive.
Italy
Italian brands are Colmar and Zephir.
Gallery
- A Zephir LOK 10.170
- Shunting vehicle (Unimog)
- Shunting vehicle UCA-TRAC F24. Note the buffers and chain coupler.
- Shunting vehicle UCA-TRAC B16
- Road–rail vehicle train brake control
- A USA telehandler fitted with train coupler and train brake system
- Unilok E55s of Lesico company. Jerusalem-Tel Aviv Railway
- Nordco NVX-8040
- TrackMobile Titan
- Heavy STM work trains are hauled with sizeable tractors such as this 1966 "Duplex". Traction is effected through the rubber-tired wheels, and guidance through the retractable flanged wheels. This Road-rail vehicle can also operate on the road.
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