Locked axle dollies (Portable wheel dolly)

Recovery solutions for safely transporting disabled rail vehicles to maintenance facilities without track or wheel damage

Key Specifications

 

  • Support capacity up to 75 tons
  • Compatible with rail wheel diameters 28″ to 54″
  • Field assembly without additional equipment
  • Custom options for light and heavy rail vehicles

Technical Specifications

Overview

Railquip’s portable wheel dollies (auxiliary trucks) provide essential mobility solutions for disabled railroad cars and locomotives with defective travel gear, preventing flat spots and rail damage during recovery operations.

Portable wheel dollies serve as temporary replacement trucks for disabled rail vehicles, allowing safe transport back to maintenance facilities.

Each system is designed for quick field assembly without requiring additional equipment, making them invaluable for emergency response and recovery operations.

Available in multiple configurations to accommodate different load requirements and rail systems.

Features

35-Ton Portable Rail Wheel Dolly

  • Standard Capacity: 35 tons at 20 mph
  • Intermittent Load Capacity: 75 tons at 5 mph
  • Total Weight: 1,100 lbs.• Rail Wheel Diameter Compatibility: 33″ to 54″
  • Maximum Component Weight: 150 lbs.
  • Top of Rail Clearance: 3″
  • Speed Through Turnouts & Crossings: Walking speed

75-Ton Portable Rail Wheel Dolly

  • Standard Capacity: 75 tons at 10 mph
  • Alternative Capacity: 35 tons at 20 mph
  • Total Weight: 900 lbs.
  • Rail Wheel Diameter Compatibility: 28″ to 54″
  • Maximum Component Weight: 115 lbs.
  • Top of Rail Clearance: 3″

Design Advantages

  • Field assembly without specialized tools
  • Lightweight components for manual handling
  • Rugged construction for reliability
  • Accommodates wide range of wheel diameters
  • Multiple capacity options to match requirements

Operational Benefits

  • Prevents flat spots on disabled vehicles
  • Protects rail infrastructure from damage
  • Allows controlled movement of disabled equipment
  • Safe operation through turnouts and crossings
  • Suitable for emergency and planned recovery

Customization Options

  • Light rail vehicle configurations
  • Heavy rail vehicle compatibility
  • Single motor truck designs
  • Dual motor truck designs
  • Custom specifications available upon request

Portability Features

  • Modular design for transportation
  • Maximum component weight of 150 lbs.
  • Quick assembly/disassembly
  • Compact storage configuration
  • Easily transported to emergency locations

Related Projects

 

O-Train Case Study

In 2015, the O-Train in Ottawa, Canada, sought a complete train maintenance facility for their new fleet. Railquip provided a fully customized underground lifting

FAQ’S

How quickly can the wheel dolly be assembled in the field?

The dollies are designed for rapid field assembly without requiring additional equipment. Trained personnel can typically assemble a dolly in under 30 minutes.

Are there any special requirements for using these dollies?

When navigating turnouts or crossings, speed should be reduced to walking pace. For general operation, adhere to the specified speed limits based on load weight.

Can these dollies be used on any type of rail vehicle?

Our dollies are custom-made for either light rail or heavy rail vehicles with single or dual motor trucks. We can provide solutions for most standard rail systems.

What is the maximum distance a disabled vehicle can be transported using these dollies?

While there’s no specific distance limitation, we recommend using the dollies for transport to the nearest maintenance facility. For longer distances, appropriate speed limitations should be observed.

How many dollies are typically needed for recovery operations?

This depends on the nature of the disablement. Typically, a dolly is needed to replace each defective truck or axle assembly. Our team can help determine the optimal configuration for your specific recovery needs.