ABOUT TRACKMOBILE RAILCAR MOVERS
About Trackmobile
Trackmobile invented the railcar mover industry more than 70 years ago. Since then, Trackmobile has been and continues to be the world’s number one producer of railcar movers. Today, more than 11,000 units have been put into service in 69 different countries.
Trackmobiles are mobile equipment designed to use railcar couplers to move railcars. They primarily serve industrial switching sites like large plants and factories by providing a safe, reliable way to move railcars. Trackmobiles are used in almost every area of the economy, from grain and agriculture services to quarries and cement and aggregates facilities. They are also used in chemical plants and power plants and have even been used in ocean bridge construction projects.
How Trackmobiles Work
To move railcars, the Trackmobile must generate tractive effort using a design similar to modern diesel equipment. It includes an engine, transmission, and drive train to generate pulling power without losing traction.
To maximize the amount of tractive effort the Trackmobile generates, the Trackmobile is equipped with hydraulically actuated railcar couplers on the front and rear of the unit. The Trackmobile lifts on either one or two railcars (two if it is coupled on the front and back) to borrow weight from the railcar. This allows the Trackmobile to generate additional pulling force without causing the rail wheels to slip. A Trackmobile can be used without weight transfer. For maximum pulling power, weight transfer is used.
Trackmobile Specs
Generally, Trackmobiles range from 30,000 to 80,000 pounds of machine weight. When combined with coupler weight transfer, the largest Trackmobile—the Atlas model—has an effective weight of up to 180,000 pounds.
Additionally, a Trackmobile has road mode tires which allow it to dismount the railroad tracks at an approved crossing and drive with road wheel tires. However, that does not mean it’s street legal!
Trackmobiles at Andress Engineering
Getting started with a Trackmobile is only a phone call or email away. Andress Engineering has a fleet of Trackmobiles available for rent. We can often have a Trackmobile headed your way the next day, if not sooner! Contact us for rates and availability.
We also have a 24/7/365 service and support team dedicated to supporting your Trackmobile railcar mover. We have multiple shops and technicians located throughout the southeastern United States. We also have an award-winning Trackmobile parts team for DIY repairs.