Photo by Rob Piligian
The Whiting Trackmobile spots C&O #5504 on the pit track.

Here's a gadget that's not often seen by the public. The Whiting Trackmobile was acquired from the same source as the GE #7258, Birdsboro Steel. The Trackmobile was donated after its owner saw the wonderful restoration job that was done to #7258. The Trackmobile arrived at the WK&S December 2, 2000. After a few years of tinkering by WK&S maintenance crews, the Trackmobile was restored to service by 2004, but is usually kept out of view in the shop. The gas-powered machine has road wheels running perpendicular to the rail wheels. The Trackmobile is driven over the track and then hydraulically lowered onto the rails. The Trackmobile has a special coupler that transfers weight from the car it's moving to itself. It's this weight transfer that gives the Trackmobile its tractive effort.

Here's a close-up of the coupler. Note the hydraulic ram underneath. The coupler lifts up on the car thereby transferring the car's weight to the Trackmobile.

An ad for the Whiting Trackmobile proclaims...
Here's the mighty midget that does more and costs less than any other freight car handling method. The amazing 6000 pound Trackmobile borrows traction weight from the car it pulls (by means of a unique application of hydraulic jacking) and then quickly hauls, spots and switches. It operates on track or road - eliminates "bottlenecks" - saves time, manpower and demurrage. It has revolutionized railway car movement in yards and about plants! The Trackmobile is made by Whiting . . . a company with over 60 years of diversified manufacturing experience . . . a company that has constantly engineered new and better methods for all industry. Write for a Trackmobile bulletin on your company letterhead.

Another ad. I need a scanner.