A mobile railcar mover is a self-propelled industrial vehicle designed to shunt, spot, and position railcars on rail sidings without the need for a locomotive. Mobile railcar movers are bi-modal — meaning they run on both prepared roadways and rails — so the operators can switch cars on the rail and then drive the machine off the tracks to reposition anywhere in the facility. Mobile railcar movers are a fraction of the capital and operating cost of a switch locomotive and are the standard solution for rail-served industrial sites.
What is the difference between a Trackmobile, a BOSS, and a Zephir?
All three are bi-modal mobile railcar movers, and all three are now part of Marmon Holdings — a Berkshire Hathaway company — but each line is positioned differently. Trackmobile (asides from its Vulcan model) uses a steel-on-steel rail-wheel design along with weight transfer and is the longest-running brand in the category (since 1948, over 12,000 units delivered). BOSS uses rubber tires on the rail to maximize tractive effort in ideal conditions. Zephir is the Italian-built line known for compact electric and bi-modal shunting locomotives, particularly suited for indoor operations and emissions-sensitive environments. Gordon Russell is the authorized distributor of all three brands in Western Canada.
How many railcars can a mobile railcar mover pull?
Capacity ranges from a handful of cars on entry-level units up to 40+ loaded freight cars on the largest machines, depending on grade and conditions. Flagship models — including the Trackmobile Atlas (approximately 60,200 lb tractive effort) and the BOSS ZX (up to 42 loaded cars) — are sized for major rail-served industrial facilities. Smaller units in the Zephir CRAB electric ranges are sized for indoor and light-duty applications. Gordon Russell will size the right machine to your application; considering duty cycle, grade, curvature, operating conditions and rail condition.
Do I need a mobile railcar mover or a switching locomotive?
A mobile railcar mover is the cost-effective choice for most rail-served industrial facilities — sawmills, grain terminals, petrochemical plants, food and beverage producers, transload operations — where rail traffic is internal and trips are short. A traditional switch locomotive only makes sense when volumes, distances, or weights exceed what a railcar mover can handle. A 30-minute conversation with Gordon Russell's application team can usually settle the question.
What industries use mobile railcar movers in Western Canada?
In Western Canada, mobile railcar movers are commonly used in forestry and pulp & paper, mining, oil and gas, petrochemicals, grain and agriculture, food and beverage, marine terminals, and intermodal and transload yards. Gordon Russell has supplied and serviced railcar movers across all these industries from its Delta BC, Red Deer AB, Fort Saskatchewan AB, and Prince George BC branches.
Are mobile railcar movers safe to operate?
Modern mobile railcar movers are engineered with operator safety as a priority — multi-point braking systems, ergonomic controls, and visibility-optimized cabs are standard. Safe operation still depends on operator training. Gordon Russell provides factory-certified operator training for Trackmobile, BOSS, and Zephir, available to your team whether you own the equipment or rent it.
Can I rent a mobile railcar mover instead of buying?
Yes. Gordon Russell maintains a fleet of well-maintained rental units available for short-term project work and long-term operational needs. Rentals include the option for operator training and on-call field service from the nearest of our four Western Canadian branches.
Where can I get a Trackmobile, BOSS, or Zephir serviced in Western Canada?
Gordon Russell is the authorized service provider for Trackmobile, BOSS, and Zephir across Western Canada. Factory-trained technicians are dispatched from four branches: Delta BC, Red Deer AB, Fort Saskatchewan AB, and Prince George BC. Field service is typically done as part of our Preventative Maintenance Programs, light repairs or for emergency breakdowns. Major overhauls are performed at either our Red Deer or Delta shop.
What is the lead time for parts and service?
Most common wear parts are stocked at all our branches in additional to critical components based on the population and models supported by the regional branch. Field service for breakdowns is typically dispatched within 24hrs from the closest branch or current location of a field technician. For specialty parts, factory-direct access through Trackmobile, BOSS, and Zephir keeps lead times to a minimum.
Do you service brands of mobile railcar movers you don't sell?
Yes. Gordon Russell's factory-trained technicians are proficient in all brands of railcar movers — steel-on-steel and rubber-on-steel — and we regularly service equipment from manufacturers we don't formally distribute as part of our field and shop service offering.
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