Nordberg track shifter
BUILT: tbc
ENGINE: Continental
The track shifter was manufactured by Nordberg Manufacturing Co. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is used to lift and level track for ballasting and to be operated by one person. Weighing in at 9400lbs it is powered by a Continental 73HP water cooled petrol engine with clutch and chain drive. The brakes are mechanical and it has a top speed of 20mph.
It was designed primarily for private railways where track shifting and maintenance are problematic (eg quarries). It has a lifting force of 50000lbs (22.7 metric tons) and can lift / slew track 36″. When lifting on soft ground the foot or spud shoe expands to spread the load.
The original design dates back to 1925.
(Above technical data from Nordberg bulletin 254)
Nordberg bulletin 86A with photos for standard gauge version.
The bulletin also details the principle of operation.
Nordberg bulletin 42-0 with photos for narrow gauge version.
Photo of NIRT Nordberg machine circa 2015