Navigator; Electric

NVX- Electric

Key Features

  • Drawbar Pull: 45,000 lbs. (200 kN)
  • Fast charge
  • Zero emissions
  • Regenerative braking
  • Precision drive technology
  • Drivetrain: Battery powered AC electrical motor
  • Electric Motor: TM-4
  • Batteries: Lithium Ion
  • BMS: Integrated cell monitoring, balancing, and over current protection.
  • Axles: Two-axle tech heavy duty, planetary type
  • Frame: Heavy-duty - 2.5” deck plate
  • Vehicle Brakes: Air-over-hydraulic-actuated high-pressure ABS disk brakes with Haldex pressure converter. Master cylinder front and rear.
  • Train Brakes: Single-engine-driven compressor with total capacity of 96 cfm.
  • Rail Guide Wheels: Four (4) 24-3/4" (629mm) diameter cast steel heat-treated rail guide wheels. AAR standard 56.5" (1435 mm) rail gage.
  • Tires and Rims: 315/80 R 22.5 steel-belted tubeless radial tires mounted on solid disk drop center rims.
  • Hydraulic System: Constant pressure hydraulic system with 5 gallon, piston-type accumulator backup.
  • Couplers: AAR direct couple "non-weight transfer" type coupler on each end. These couplers are hydraulically positioned on a slide bar. While moving cars, a float position allows coupler to slide freely to negotiate the tightest curves.
  • Sanders: Four (4) sand boxes with eight (8) electrically controlled, air-operated nozzles.
  • Operator Cab: Totally enclosed 360-degree visibility, sound insulated, full width 120" (3048 mm), 60" (1524 mm deep), 72" (1829 mm) ceiling height. Two (2) air-ride, "high back", 4-way positionable operator seats - one on either side of the cab. 180-degree rotating operator's console with modern, color digital display. Cab air conditioning.
  • Lights: Operator's cab, interior dome, one clear, one red. Two (2) roof-mounted strobe lights and LED head, tail, and brake lights.
  • Warning and Safety Devices: Dual blast-type, roof-mounted air horns. Automatic backup alarm for road operation. High-visibility powder-coated hand rails.
  • Overview
  • Specifications
  • Options
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Resources
  • Manuals

NVX Series capacityis 38,000 lbs tractive effort, single or double coupled; approximately that of the NVX6030 diesel powered Navigator model. The Electric Navigator is capable of moving up to 30 loaded railcars without weight transfer coupling. The Electric Navigator highlights the only mobile railcar movers produced in North America to operate 100% electrically as well as utilize a pivoting drive axle and rail guidance system all in a single assembly. The system is very similar to the drive trucks on a locomotive which are allowed to pivot and turn along the rails. Product improvement focus includes enhanced rail stability, better performance in poor weather conditions, improved tire life and the ability to navigate up to 70 degree track curvature. Shuttlewagon expands the railcar mover market, providing fresh alternatives to higher-cost-of-operation locomotive power by providing the only mobile railcar mover/shunting applications that exceed 35,000lbs tractive effort and do so with direct, non-weight transfer locomotive like coupling. 

  • 180-degree rotating console with color multifunction display.
  • Dual four-way air suspension operator seats for either side on-rail operator control.
  • Pull-out sander boxes with wide-mouth lids for easy loading. Air-activated sanders for smooth dispensing. Safely attach glad-hand hoses with ease; Shuttlewagon offers industry-leading space between railcar and mobile railcar mover.
  • Two independent drive wheel trucks supported on rotating bearings with eight (8) 16" AAR profile guide wheels. ABS and traction assist provide more control while reducing maintenance cost.
  • Wide-range AAR sliding couplers are air released and hydraulically positioned. Improves pulling performance in curves and grades.

Standard equipment includes the following:

  • Zero Emissions
  • Continuous Power Electric Motor
  • Regenerative Braking
  • Precision Drive Technology
  • Lithium Ion Batteries
  • Battery Management System
  • SAE J1772 Connector
  • Level 1, 2, & 3 Charging Capability
  • External Recharge Strobe Light Indicator
  • CAN-Bus Electric System
  • Radiator – 12 VDC fans provide air flow for cooling;  transmission, traction motors, electrical components and batteries
  • 66cfm Air Compressor
  • Separate High Voltage Disconnect Boxes
  • ABS Vehicle Brakes
  • Air Knife
  • Anti-Slip Traction Control
  • Speed-Based Rail Guidance Pressure
  • Lockable EV Electronic Door
  • Two Air Ride Operator Seats
  • 180 degree Rotating Operator Console
  • (4) Video Cameras with Monitor Inside Cab
  • (2) 12 Volt DC Power Ports
  • (2) USB Charge Ports
  • (1) 120 Volt AC 15 Amp Outlet

Rubber vs. Steel

Repositioning railcars in a rail-switching operation has always been a formidable task. Before the advent of the mobile railcar mover, large locomotives were often used to move railcars. However, locomotives were expensive, immobile (limited to track use), and over-powered for this usage.

In the late 1940's, steel-wheel railcar movers were developed. These early devices had steel wheels and employed weight transfer technology to move railcars. Weight from the attached railcar was mechanically transferred onto the railcar mover by lifting the railcar by its coupler in order to gain tractive power. These smaller devices had off-track mobility and were considerably less expensive than a locomotive.

Unfortunately, the weight transfer process (which most manufacturers still employ) causes shock loading. Shock loading is created from rail vibration or sudden coupler movement. It is then transferred to the railcar mover, jars the operator, and ultimately causes component failure. The risk of lifting the railcar off the rail wheel truck was another notable shortcoming of railcar movers that depend on weight transfer from railcars.

Our rubber tire drive system eliminates the need to borrow weight from the railcar, permits the coupler to connect directly with the railcar coupler as well as move freely, reduces axle weight, and improves component lift by reducing shock loading.

Non-Weight Transfer Coupling

We use industry-standard direct-type coupling that readily connect to most American Association of Railroads (AAR) couplers. This means that our mobile railcar movers connect to railcars like a handshake. Our direct non-binding, non-lifting coupler permits unrestricted, side-to-side movement and permits limited up-and-down movement along the coupler face. A dense urethane shock absorber absorbs the fore-to-aft compression forces and reduces shock loads through the coupling mechanism. Unlike railcar movers that must borrow weight by lifting railcars via the railcar’s coupler, our movers use their own weight along with the superior tractive power of rubber tires to move railcars.

Our sliding coupler eliminates many of the problems inherent with the older pivot-style couplers. Not only are they easier for the operator to position, the increased range of movement of the coupler along the slide allows our movers to push or pull through tighter curves. The coupler’s attachment to our mover is more evenly spaced out, instead of being attached only by the pivot pin, making it stronger as well.

Modern Electrical Components

Our CANbus electrical system use state-of-the-art technology, offering features and benefits for operators and maintenance personnel that were unavailable in the past. The operator can now view all critical information about the readiness state of the railcar mover on the computerized display. Maintenance personnel can access diagnostic information for the engine and other components, reducing maintenance downtime.

Cab and Console

The full-width crossover cab has full 360-degree visibility, 72” ceiling height, sliding windows, and a 180-degree rotating console. On-rail operations can be conducted from either side of the two four-way positioning operator seats on either side of the cab. Ceiling-mounted defroster fans, map lights, red/white dome light, and power adapter receptacles are easily accessible.

The control console contains all on-rail controls, as well as the digital color display. The multi-function color display shows information about the vehicle, rail air pressure, hydraulic pressure, and other information important to the operator.

Every aspect of the cab and console has been carefully designed to provide the operator with the most control, least complexity, and greatest degree of flexibility - creating the safest possible environment.

ABS and ATC

Our anti-slip braking system (ABS) and anti-slip traction control (ATC) prevent sliding of the tires along the rail during braking, as well as over-rotation of the tires during movement. Because the system is automatic and reacts much faster than an operator can, it greatly improves tire life and allows the operator to concentrate on maneuvering activities.

Sanders

The pull-out air-activated sander boxes have wide-mouth lids for easy lifting and can be easily removed for complete access to the wheels and tires. In their normal position, the boxes remain clear of the wheels and tires for routine maintenance.

Category Specification Value
Dimensions Weight 67,000 lbs. / 27669 kg
  Length 296” / 7518 mm (to end of couplers)
  Width 120” / 3048 mm 
  Height 143.5” / 3645 mm
  Wheel base 168” / 4267 mm
Electric Motor Make TM-4: LMS200
Axle/Wheels Make AxleTech Planetary Drive
  Railwheels (8) 16" AAR Profile
  Road Tires

Michelin XKA 14.00 R24

Brakes  

Air over hydraulic

Batteries   Lithium Ion

Battery Management System

  Integrated cell monitoring, balancing, and over current protection
Charging   Level 2&3 compatible w/J1772 connector
Pneumatic   Mattei 66cfm van compressor
Tractive Effort   45,000 lbs
 

 


Option Name

Description

Inclusions

Air bell

An air-activated locomotive standard air bell

Air bell

Mounting bracket

Hardware

Air lines

Bell switch

Air cleaner (pre-cleaner)

An engine air intake pre-cleaner. The cleaner utilizes a venturi to spin the intake air and centrifugally remove particulates prior to entering the standard engine air intake filter.

Air cleaner

Mounting hardware

Air conditioner

33,000 BTU air conditioner

Air conditioner

Condensor

Brackets and hardware

Wiring harness

Air Knife

A hardened rubber “scraper” out front of the rail wheel forces contamination from the rail head, sweeping the track.  In addition nozzles angled over the rail, trailing the rail wheel, blow air at a rate of 900 mph cleansing the rail of water, sleet, snow, broken ice and/or other contaminants before the rubber tire passes over the cleaned rail surface. 

Broom (rotary)

8’ wide ½ poly, ½ steel bristle hydraulically operated rotary broom

Broom assembly

Hydraulic manifolds

Hoses

Control and wiring

Cab air filter (two-stage pressurized)

The two-stage air filter replaces the standard cab air intake filter for improved air filtration. Especially useful in dusty or corrosive environments.

Filter canister

Filter

Replacement lower filter housing

Connecting hose and clamps

Mounting hardware

Instructions and hole-drilling template

Corrosion resistance

A clear corrosion-resistant top coating applied to painted surfaces, fasteners, and connectors.

Applied at factory during painting

Fire extinguisher

10# dry chemical fire extinguisher for A, B, and C class fires.

Fire extinguisher

Mounting bracket

Hardware

Heater (hydraulic oil reservoir)

250 watt 110VAC immersible heater

Heater

Cord clamps

Heater (transmission oil)

125 watt 120 VAC immersible heater

Heater

Connecting fittings

Cord clamps

Ice breaker

A hydraulic override to increase rail wheel pressure for breaking up ice on rails.

Hydraulic manifold

Hoses

Wiring and switch

Lube system (automatic)

A single-point auto-dispensing lubricating system.

Dispenser

Tubing

Fittings

Single-point manifold

Lube system (single point)

Single-point lube system for single steer high-pressure caliper axles.

Manifolds

Fittings

Tubing

Mounting brackets

Hardware

Mirrors (front right-hand side)

Includes cab side mirror and rail wheel aligning mirror for right-hand side of cab.

Mirrors

Brackets

Mounting hardware

Mirrors (heated front left-hand side)

Includes cab side mirror and rail wheel aligning mirror with heater elements for left-hand side of cab.

Mirrors

Brackets

Wiring harnesses

Mounting hardware

Mirrors (heated front right-hand side)

Includes cab side mirror and rail wheel aligning mirror with heater elements for right-hand side of cab.

Mirrors

Brackets

Wiring harnesses

Mounting hardware

Radio remote control

FCC-licensed frequency operator transmitter and vehicle receiver

Transmitter

Receiver

Rail air reservoir (100-gallon capacity)

Dual 50-gallon air reservoirs

Reservoirs

Fittings

Hoses

Rail wheel flange lubricators

Automatically dispenses a dry graphite lubricant against the rail wheel flange to reduce friction between the wheel flange and the rail when moving through curves.

Dispensers (four each)

Mounting brackets (four each)

Lubricant sticks

Mounting hardware

Rail wheel continuity

A cross-wheel continuity cable for ensuring electrical continuity between right and left rail wheels for engaging electrically activated signals.

Wiring cable

Clamps

Connectors

Hardware

Remote vehicle monitor/ShuttleTrak

Remotely monitored vehicle output with diagnostic functions

Antenna

Transceiver

Wiring

Mounting hardware

Seat (high-back with headrest)

High-backed four-way air-cushioned seat with improved lumbar support and headrest.

Seat

Installation hardware

Switchman II

Hand-held emergency stop remote for ground personnel.

Receiver

Hand unit and holster

Wiring harness

Installation instructions

Snow plow (adjustable V)

Hydraulically controlled multi-position V-blade snow plow.

Snow plow

Manifolds

Hoses

Wiring

Hardware

Spotlight (cab front / remote control)

A remotely controlled (from inside the cab) front-mounted spotlight.

Spotlight

Mounting bracket

Hardware

Wiring

Tire (foam filled)

Polyurethane foam-filled tires

Tire

Foam filling

Rim assembly

Tire (nitrogen filled)

Inert nitrogen gas-filled tires (factory filled)

Tire

Nitrogen charge

Rim assembly

Train air auxiliary (rear only)

A general-purpose auxiliary air line mounted above the rear deck.

Hoses

Mounting bracket

Fittings

Work lights (cab – LED)

Two front and two rear cab-mounted LED work lights.

Lights

Wiring

Switch

Mounting hardware



Navigator video
Air Knife Video