Trackmobile, BOSS and Zephir, sold and serviced across Western Canada
A railcar mover shunts, spots and positions railcars on your siding without a locomotive, then drives off the track on its own tires. Gordon Russell supplies, rents and services the three leading lines: Trackmobile steel-wheel and rubber-tire movers, BOSS rubber-on-steel movers and Zephir battery-electric shunters. We size each machine to your car count, grade, curves, rail condition and climate.
✔ Exclusive Trackmobile and BOSS distributor in British Columbia and Alberta ✔ Authorized Zephir distributor ✔ Factory-trained field technicians and service trucks across Western Canada ✔ Preventative maintenance programs, field service and shop overhauls ✔ Rental fleet and reconditioned units ✔ Operator training, whether you own or rent
Steel-wheel movers with patented weight transfer, plus the rubber-tire Vulcan
Trackmobile has built bi-modal railcar movers since 1948 and has delivered more than 12,000 machines worldwide. Its steel-wheel models run steel rail wheels on steel rail and use patented MAX-Tran weight transfer and MAX-Trac traction control to put the weight of the coupled railcar onto the mover's drive wheels, so a compact machine can pull far more than its own weight. The Vulcan, Trackmobile's largest model, runs rubber tires on the rail instead. Every current model runs a Cummins turbocharged diesel with CAN-Bus controls.
Models Available:
Vulcan (rubber tire on steel): Trackmobile's newest and most powerful mover, 71,250 lbf (317 kN) tractive effort, Cummins 350 hp 8.9 L, 103,000 lb; Safe-T-Vue 360° camera system and a spacious cab with two passenger seats.
Atlas (steel on steel): 43,900 lbf single coupled / 60,225 lbf double coupled (195 / 268 kN), Cummins 350 hp 8.9 L; MAX-Tran and MAX-Trac.
Titan (steel on steel): Trackmobile's most popular model, 33,115 / 49,451 lbf (147 / 220 kN), Cummins 260 hp 6.7 L.
Hercules (steel on steel): 29,040 / 45,375 lbf (129 / 202 kN), Cummins 173 hp 6.7 L; wide-cab option.
BOSS railcar movers run on rubber tires on the rail for maximum grip, and every model shares the same Cummins 6.7 L, 300 hp Tier 4 Final engine, powershift transmission and planetary axles. The pressurized, centre-mounted cab gives true 360° visibility, with cameras, heated mirrors, work lights and air conditioning as standard. Remote control and diesel-fired or electric cold-weather packages are available.
Models Available:
ZX Series: up to 42 loaded railcars, 62,000 lbf tractive effort, 103,000 lb.
LX and LX7 Series: up to 35 (LX) and 38 (LX7) loaded railcars, 51,000 and 55,000 lbf.
MX and MX7 Series: up to 25 (MX) and 30 (MX7) loaded railcars, 38,000 and 42,000 lbf.
Battery-electric shunters for indoor and zero-emission sites
Zephir of Modena, Italy, builds electric road-rail shunters for plants, warehouses and terminals where exhaust and noise are not an option. Both lines run on on-board rechargeable batteries with zero emissions, and rail-only versions are available on request.
Models Available:
CRAB EZ1, EZ3 and EZ5: compact remote-controlled shunters with 18, 36 and 50 kN drawbar pull and towing capacity of 360, 730 and 1,000 tonnes. On-board charger plugs into a suitable outlet; Hetronic remote standard on EZ1.
LOK E Series (10.90 E to 22.150 E): larger electric locotractors with a full-size cab, 100 to 220 kN drawbar pull and towing capacity of 2,000 to 4,400 tonnes; dual-motor design, camera system and Arctic pack option for cold climates.
Towing capacities are Zephir ratings on dry, straight, level track.
Need a machine for a project, a peak season or while your own unit is in the shop? We keep a fleet of well-maintained rental railcar movers for short-term and long-term needs, with operator training and on-call field service from the nearest branch.
We also carry reconditioned and in-stock units across a range of conditions, capacities and price points. Availability changes often, so speak to our railcar mover specialists for what is on hand today.
Keeping your railcar mover working, wherever it works
A railcar mover is often the only way cars move on your site. Our factory-trained technicians support Trackmobile, BOSS and Zephir machines, and other brands too, from four Western Canadian branches.
What We Do:
Preventative maintenance programs: scheduled service on site, planned around your duty cycle, to catch wear before it becomes downtime.
Field service: fully equipped service trucks dispatched from Delta, Red Deer, Fort Saskatchewan and Prince George, typically within 24 hours for breakdowns.
Shop repairs and overhauls: major rebuilds in our Red Deer and Delta shops.
Parts: common wear parts stocked at every branch, with factory-direct access for specialty parts.
Operator training: factory-certified training for your team, on site or in our shop.
All brands: we service steel-on-steel and rubber-on-steel movers from manufacturers we do not distribute.
Trackmobile: the longest-running name in railcar movers. Steel-on-steel models with patented weight transfer, plus the rubber-tire-on-steel Vulcan for the heaviest work. Best for most industrial sidings, from a few cars to large unit trains. Exclusive distributor in BC and Alberta.
BOSS: rubber tires on the rail and a high-visibility centre cab. Best for long, heavy trains and operators who want maximum traction and visibility. Exclusive distributor in BC and Alberta.
Zephir: battery-electric road-rail shunters. Best for indoor work, food and pharmaceutical plants and emissions-sensitive sites.
Trackmobile, BOSS and Zephir are all members of the Marmon Rail Group, a Berkshire Hathaway company.
These details let us size the right machine, or the right rental, quickly:
Number of cars moved per day and per move
Car type and loaded weight (for example, loaded hoppers at 286,000 lb)
Grade, curves and length of the track you move cars on
Rail and track condition, and any road crossings or paved areas
Indoor or outdoor use, and emissions or noise limits
Winter conditions: snow, ice and lowest operating temperature
Operating hours and shifts per day
Required option; radio control, rotary broom etc...
Whether you want to buy or rent, and the date you need it
Send us what you have using the quote form below, and our railcar mover team will follow up.
Why Buy Railcar Movers from Gordon Russell
Three leading lines, one contact: Trackmobile, BOSS and Zephir, so we recommend the machine that fits, not the one we happen to carry
Local service: factory-trained technicians and service trucks from Delta BC, Red Deer AB, Fort Saskatchewan AB and Prince George BC
Built for winter: machines specified with the cold-weather packages, lighting and cab heat Western Canadian sites need
Rent, buy or recondition: rental fleet, reconditioned units and new machines
Industries we serve: forestry and pulp and paper, mining, oil and gas, petrochemical, grain and agriculture, food and beverage, ports and transload yards
With more than 95 years in industrial equipment, Gordon Russell knows what it takes to keep cars moving on Western Canada's rail-served sites.
Railcar Mover Brochures & Literature
Brochures and spec sheets for Trackmobile, BOSS and Zephir railcar movers. Some Trackmobile brochures open in an online viewer. Need an operator or service manual for your machine? Contact us with the model and serial number and we will send the right document.
A railcar mover is a self-propelled industrial vehicle designed to shunt, spot, and position railcars on rail sidings without the need for a locomotive. 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. 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 railcar movers, and all three are now part of Marmon Holdings — a Berkshire Hathaway company — but each line is positioned differently. Trackmobile (aside 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 an authorized distributor for all three brands, and the exclusive Trackmobile and BOSS distributor in British Columbia and Alberta.
How many railcars can a 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 railcar mover or a switching locomotive?
A 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 railcar movers in Western Canada?
In Western Canada, 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 railcar movers safe to operate?
Modern 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 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?
Common wear parts are stocked at all of our branches, along with critical components matched to the machines each branch supports. Field service for breakdowns is typically dispatched within 24 hours from the closest branch or the nearest field technician. For specialty parts, factory-direct access through Trackmobile, BOSS and Zephir keeps lead times to a minimum.
Do you service brands of 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.
