Track Jack question (prototype)

Back in '63, I worked for the summer at a chemical company as a laborer and we spotted loaded rail cars by hand using a track jack. Are they still used?

 

Yes, we call them Polish locomotives.

 

Thanks, I did see an ad for one after I decided to surf the web for an answer. Had a shorter (54") handle than I remember, but that was 54 years ago! Loved the coincidence in the numbers. lol

We spotted both loaded hoppers and box cars. Really thought it was super cool!

 

I have seen a power one advertised. It kinda "shuffled" the wedge to move the car.

 

During my long career in heavy manufacturing, I'd receive occasional phone calls from unknown salespeople hoping to sell me one of these things. They'd talk breathlessly about the benefits of ownership until I'd interrupt and inform them that my plant moved over 100 railcars each day on a dozen miles of track. "Oh", was the usual one word reply.

 

Cool, that was the pic I found when I finally surfed the web looking for one!!!

 

Or a slightly used Trackmobile, once driven by this miscreant at NASA's Mississippi Test Facility in 1964. OK, I only tipped it on its nose once.

 

That looks like TOO much like work!

Gary

 

It was actually not hard work, and the thrill of moving that much tonnage was terrific.