Trackmobile railcar movers look set to make their mark in the rail freight industry in Australia.
That’s the opinion of newly-appointed Adaptalift national sales manager David Lamb, who has just returned from a visit to the company’s headquarters in Georgia in the US.
Lamb’s position is exclusively dedicated to the sale and servicing of Trackmobile and Zephir railcar movers, which Adaptalift is distributing into the freight segment of the Australian rail market.
“Trackmobile has been making railcar movers for 75 years,” he said.
“Outside of the production facility tour and specialist product training, some of the most valuable experiences were visits to customer sites, where I had the opportunity to see the Trackmobile railcar movers in action.
“These real-world applications brought the knowledge gained in the factory training to life and added a practical dimension to the theoretical understanding of the equipment and its operation.
“Although having read the literature, what was immediately even more apparent during the site visits was how the Trackmobile effectively utilises the weight of the rail wagon that the machine is coupled to.
“This weight, combined with the Cummins engine power of the railcar mover, plays a crucial role in enhancing tractive effort and adhesion to the rail head. The practical demonstrations allowed me to witness first-hand how this innovative approach makes Trackmobile’s railcar movers stand out in the industry.”
In coupling to the rail wagons, the Trackmobile unit effectively increases its own weight, which improves the traction between the wheels and the rail, making it easier to move heavy loads.
Lamb said the principle was akin to a car’s tyres gripping the road more securely when carrying a heavy load.
“This hands-on experience helped to solidify the concept and its practical implications,” Lamb said.
“Another significant takeaway from these sites visits was the operational efficiency and safety that Trackmobile equipment provides.
“The smooth and controlled movements of the railcar movers was impressive, particularly when considering the large and heavy loads they were handling.
“This level of precision is essential in rail operations, where a minor misstep can lead to delays, damage or even accidents.
“The integration of remote control technology had a profound impact on the efficiency and safety of rail operations, particularly in the context of indexing wagons in a loading/unloading application.
“By observing the railcar movers in action, I gained better insights into how Trackmobiles focus on safety features, operator familiarisation, and equipment durability results in reliable and secure railcar movements.”
Lamb said the visits to customer sites underscored Trackmobile’s commitment to operational efficiency, safety, and customer-focussed solutions.
“This real-world experience not only enhanced my understanding of the equipment, but also left me with a clear vision for Trackmobile’s role in the rail freight industry here in Australia,” he said.
If you would like to know more about Trackmobile or Zephir railcar shunters, contact Lamb at phone 13 22 54; mobile +61 460 284 440; email: dlamb@adaptalift.com.au; website: www.adaptalift.com.au
Visit Global Railcar Mover Group at AusRAIL PLUS, stand 715, to explore the potential of Trackmobile and Zephir railcar movers in shaping the future of the Australian rail freight industry.