Wheelskate

A rollerskate schematic from various perspectives source ↗

A wheelskate, wheel skate, or axle dolly is a device used to lift the axle of a damaged or blocked rail wheel set and prevent it sliding over the rail. With the axle lifted and wheels off the rails, the train can be moved for repairs.¹

To be able to use a wheelskate, access to one side of the vehicle is required. This is especially important for the design of tunnel cross-sections.

Wheelskates are used by a variety of railroads, both passenger and freight.² They enable the continued operation of rail lines that would otherwise be brought to a halt by a breakdown.³

Wheelskates in use on British Rail Class 802 vehicle 837105 at Goodrington carriage holding sidings on 26 January 2026 source ↗

References

Safety Central. "Jargon Buster". Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2013. A device used in the case of a locomotive or vehicle having a wheel which is seized and will not rotate freely, to enable it to be moved clear of a running line.
Ellis British Railway Engineering Encyclopedia. Lulu.com. 7 September 2006. p. 424. ISBN 978-1-84728-643-7. Retrieved 14 March 2013. A wheeled device reminiscent of a skateboard, used to lift a damaged rail wheel clear of the rail, in turn allowing the rail vehicle to be moved (slowly) to a place of repair.
Railway Safety. "Design and Operation of Wheelskates" (PDF). pp. 6 (PDF page 8). Retrieved 14 March 2013. A device for rescuing crippled vehicles where a wheelset is not fit to rotate, by lifting the affected wheelset and providing alternative support and guidance.

[1] Safety Central. "Jargon Buster". Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2013. A device used in the case of a locomotive or vehicle having a wheel which is seized and will not rotate freely, to enable it to be moved clear of a running line.

[Ellis_British_Railway_Engineering_Encycl-2] Ellis British Railway Engineering Encyclopedia. Lulu.com. 7 September 2006. p. 424. ISBN 978-1-84728-643-7. Retrieved 14 March 2013. A wheeled device reminiscent of a skateboard, used to lift a damaged rail wheel clear of the rail, in turn allowing the rail vehicle to be moved (slowly) to a place of repair.

[3] Railway Safety. "Design and Operation of Wheelskates" (PDF). pp. 6 (PDF page 8). Retrieved 14 March 2013. A device for rescuing crippled vehicles where a wheelset is not fit to rotate, by lifting the affected wheelset and providing alternative support and guidance.

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