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