FAQ
Get In Touch
Railcar Mover
What Trackmobile models are available?
Current Trackmobile models include the Atlas (the largest, approximately 60,200 lb / 27,306 kg tractive effort, capable of moving 20 to 50 loaded freight cars in suitable conditions), the Titan (approximately 49,500 lb / 22,453 kg tractive effort), the Hercules (mid-range, approximately 46,000 lb / 20,865 kg tractive effort), the Viking, and the LOK E line of electric battery-powered railcar movers. Gordon Russell can advise on which model fits your facility.
How many railcars can a Trackmobile move?
Capacity depends on the model, grade, weather, and load type, but on level track in suitable conditions, a Trackmobile Atlas can move 20 to 50 loaded freight cars. Mid-size units like the Hercules typically handle 10 to 20 loaded cars, and entry-level models are sized for smaller industrial yards. Gordon Russell will size the right model for your application.
Who is the authorized Trackmobile distributor in Western Canada?
Gordon Russell Limited is the exclusive authorized Trackmobile distributor for British Columbia and Alberta. Gordon Russell has held Trackmobile territory rights for BC since the 1950s and was granted exclusive Alberta rights in September 2000. Sales, parts, factory-authorized service, operator training, and rental units are available from our Delta BC, Red Deer AB, Fort Saskatchewan AB, and Prince George BC branches.
Can I buy a used or refurbished Trackmobile?
Yes. Gordon Russell sells factory-refurbished Trackmobile units alongside new machines. Refurbished units are rebuilt at either our Red Deer AB or Delta BC overhaul facility and returned to OEM service standards, with full inspection and warranty coverage. Refurbished availability changes frequently — call 1-800-663-1310 for current units in stock.
Where can I get a Trackmobile serviced in Canada?
Gordon Russell provides factory-authorized Trackmobile service throughout Western Canada from our Delta BC, Red Deer AB, Fort Saskatchewan AB, and Prince George BC branches. Field service is dispatched directly to your site, typically same- or next-day. Major overhauls are performed at our Red Deer or Delta overhaul facility, which is purpose-built for Trackmobile rebuilds.
How long does a Trackmobile last?
With proper maintenance, Trackmobiles routinely deliver 20+ years of service. Many units in Gordon Russell's Western Canadian service region have been operating for three decades and are still supported with factory parts and overhauls. Service life is driven primarily by maintenance discipline and operating environment, not calendar age.
Do you offer Trackmobile operator training?
Yes. Gordon Russell delivers factory-certified Trackmobile operator training at your site or ours, covering machine controls, safe operating procedures, coupling, brake testing, and routine inspection. Training is available for both owned and rental units, and certification is issued on completion.
What is the difference between a BOSS and a Trackmobile?
Both are bi-modal mobile railcar movers from the same parent company, but they take different design approaches. Trackmobile uses steel rail wheels on the rail along with utilizing weight transfer. BOSS uses rubber tires on the driven axles along with steel guidewheels for keeping the unit on the tracks. The right choice depends on your traction profile, rail condition, climate and operator preferences — Gordon Russell can walk you through the trade-offs in person.
How many cars can a BOSS railcar mover pull?
Depending on model and conditions, a BOSS MX moves up to 30 loaded railcars and the flagship BOSS ZX moves up to 42 loaded railcars on level dry track. Actual performance varies with grade, surface condition, and load. Gordon Russell will size the right BOSS unit to your worst-case, not just your average.
Why choose rubber tires over steel wheels?
Rubber-tire rail movers like BOSS deliver a higher friction coefficient on the rail than steel-on-steel, which means more usable tractive effort for the same machine weight. Trade-offs include tire wear management and somewhat different ride characteristics.
Where can I buy a BOSS railcar mover in Canada?
Gordon Russell is the authorized BOSS distributor for British Columbia and Alberta. We sell new and refurbished BOSS units and provide rental, factory-certified operator training, and full factory-authorized service from our four Western Canadian branches.
Where can I get a BOSS railcar mover serviced?
Gordon Russell provides factory-authorized BOSS service throughout Western Canada from our Delta BC, Red Deer AB, Fort Saskatchewan AB, and Prince George BC branches. Field service is dispatched same- or next-day for most of our region.
Is Zephir an electric railcar mover?
Zephir offers both diesel and battery-electric mobile railcar movers — and Zephir built the world's first battery-powered railcar mover in 1991. The CRAB range is specifically designed for indoor, low-emission, and quiet-operation environments, making Zephir a strong fit for facilities targeting emissions reductions, food-grade or pharma environments, or noise-sensitive operations.
How is Zephir different from Trackmobile and BOSS?
Zephir machines are typically more compact than full-size Trackmobile or BOSS units and are particularly strong in applications that demand low emissions, low noise, indoor operation, or European-style rail interfaces. Trackmobile and BOSS are sized for high-tractive-effort North American freight applications, while Zephir excels in lighter-duty, electric, and indoor uses. All three brands are now part of Marmon's Global Railcar Mover Group, so Gordon Russell can provide a single point of contact across all three lines.
Where can I get a Zephir serviced in Canada?
Gordon Russell provides factory-authorized Zephir service from our Delta BC, Red Deer AB, Fort Saskatchewan AB, and Prince George BC branches. Field service is dispatched directly to your site, and major overhauls are performed at one of our shops with factory parts support from Trackmobiles warehouse in Georgia, USA as well as Modena, IT.
How long does a Zephir last?
Zephir reports that approximately 90% of all Zephir machines ever built — across more than 50 years of production and over 3,000 units — remain in operation today. With proper maintenance and parts support, a service life of several decades is typical.
Can I get Zephir operator training?
Yes. Gordon Russell delivers Zephir operator training as part of its factory-authorized service offering, covering machine controls, safe operating procedures, and routine inspection. Training is available for both purchased and rental units.
Power Transmission
What is industrial power transmission?
Industrial power transmission is the system of components that transfers rotational power from a motor or engine to a driven piece of equipment — typically through gearboxes (reducers), electric motors, clutches and brakes, mechanical couplings, gear pumps, and rotorseals. The right combination of components controls speed, torque, direction, and load on the driven machine, and selecting them correctly is the difference between a drive that runs for decades and one that fails in months.
What power transmission products does Gordon Russell carry?
Gordon Russell distributes industrial gearboxes, electric motors, clutches and brakes, mechanical couplings, gear pumps, and rotorseals from leading manufacturers including Bonfiglioli, Radicon (David Brown), Cone Drive, Elecon, Danfoss Airflex, Coremo, Ameridrives, Dings, Worldwide Electric, and others. Components are stocked at our facilities and assembled into complete drive packages on request.
Do you provide custom gearboxes?
Yes. Gordon Russell is an authorized build center for Bonfiglioli's 300 series planetary gearboxes which are highly customizable. We have been an authorized Bonfiglioli build center since 2003. Additionally, through our partners we can have a custom gearbox manufactured to the exact fit, finish and function of your existing gearbox that may be now obsolete.
Can you repair a gearbox?
Yes. Gordon Russell's Delta BC and Red Deer AB workshops perform precision gearbox repairs — disassembly, inspection, replacement of bearings, gears, seals, and shafts, reassembly to OEM specifications, and full test running. We work on industrial gearboxes of virtually any make, not only the brands we distribute.
Which industries use Gordon Russell power transmission products?
The power transmission products Gordon Russell distributes go into sawmills and pulp & paper, mining (surface and underground), oil and gas, petrochemicals, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, packaging, marine, and material handling applications throughout Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest.
How do I size a gearbox for my application?
Sizing depends on a range of application details such as; input power, output speed, output torque, overhung load, service factor, mounting configuration, ambient conditions, and duty cycle. Gordon Russell's application engineers will work from specific application details to provide appropriate selection — and a 10-minute call with our team usually shortens the spec process significantly. Contact us at 1-800-663-1310 or via gordonrussell.com/contact.
What is the difference between a planetary gearbox and a worm gearbox?
Planetary gearboxes deliver higher efficiency (typically 95%+ per stage) and higher power density than worm reducers, with better thermal performance and longer service life. Worm gearboxes remain useful where right-angle output and self-locking behavior are required at low cost, but for most modern industrial applications in Western Canada, planetary or helical reducers are the preferred choice. The shift away from inefficient worm gearing is one reason Gordon Russell partnered with Bonfiglioli on the 300 series planetary line.
Who do you partner with on electric motors?
Gordon Russell partners with a few key motor manufacturers to offer the full range of industrial electric motors. TECO, Bonfiglioli, and Worldwide Electric combined cover nearly all motor specifications. Common NEMA-frame or IEC-frame are typically readily available from our suppliers; specialty motors (high-efficiency, hazardous-area, marine, custom, or close-coupled to a specific gearbox) are sourced or assembled to order.
Who do you partner with for clutches and brakes?
Gordon Russell's main clutch and brake supplier is Danfoss Airflex and Coremo (pneumatic, hydraulic, and spring applied / released clutches and brakes). Danfoss Airflex offers a full range of clutches and brakes. In addition to Airflex we have access to the most brands in the industrial clutch and brake market. We help spec, supply, install, and service these components across forestry, mining, oil and gas, and marine applications throughout Western Canada.
Materials Handling
What materials handling products does Gordon Russell carry?
Gordon Russell distributes davit cranes, hoists and trolleys, and industrial winches — supplied with engineered application support, on-site installation, and ongoing service throughout Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest. Key supplier brands include Thern, Kito, Wintech, and other authorized partners.
What is a davit crane and what is it used for?
A davit crane is a compact, lifting device with an arm (boom) that pivots over an edge, commonly used to lift loads in and out of confined or below-deck spaces. Davits are widely used on marine vessels, offshore platforms, water and wastewater treatment facilities, and industrial sites where a permanent overhead crane is impractical. Davit cranes offered by Thern are available in stationary or portable models. Gordon Russell supplies engineered davit cranes across Western Canada.
What is the difference between a hoist and a winch?
A hoist is built specifically for vertical lifting, with safety features (load brake, upper-limit switch, load-rated drum and hook) designed around suspending a load. A winch is built for horizontal or low-angle pulling — moving a load along a surface or up a slope — and is typically rated for line pull rather than vertical lift. Using a winch for vertical lifting (or a hoist for heavy pulling) is unsafe and against North American workplace safety practice; Gordon Russell will spec the correct unit for your application.
What capacities of hoists and trolleys do you supply?
Gordon Russell supplies hoists and trolleys across a wide capacity range — from light-duty electric chain hoists up to multi-ton wire-rope hoists — sized to the customer's application, lifting height, duty cycle, and environmental requirements (hazardous area, marine, food-grade, sub-zero, etc.).
What industries use Gordon Russell materials handling products?
Marine, water and wastewater treatment, mining, oil and gas, forestry, manufacturing, food and beverage, and any industrial facility with material lifting or pulling requirements. Gordon Russell has supplied materials handling equipment across all these industries throughout Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest.
How do I choose the right winch for my application?
The right winch depends on line pull required (with safety factor), drum capacity and rope size, duty cycle (intermittent versus continuous), power source (electric, hydraulic, air, or manual), environmental factors (marine, hazardous area, sub-zero), and mounting configuration. Gordon Russell's application engineers will spec a winch to meet your line pull, duty cycle, and code requirements — call us at 1-800-663-1310 or contact us through gordonrussell.com/contact.
Are your materials handling products certified to Canadian standards?
The equipment Gordon Russell supplies is engineered and rated to applicable North American standards (CSA, ASME, OSHA) and, where required, marine classification society standards. Specific certifications depend on the product and application, and our team will confirm exact certification at the time of quotation.
Do you supply explosion-proof or hazardous-area materials handling equipment?
Yes. Hazardous-area-rated davits, hoists, and winches are available for oil and gas, petrochemical, and other Class I and Class II environments. Specify your area classification at the time of inquiry and Gordon Russell's application engineers will spec accordingly.
