Abstract: A train or a significant portion thereof comprising coupled freight or passenger cars or a close coupled multi-car "pack" of cars, including one or more with defective running gear are diverted to a service track, having a first work station incorporating a working "gap" overlying a lateral trench. The rails of the track, at the trench, are reinforced, and pivotted as swing rails, for lateral retraction alongside the trench. A track having a trolley thereon can move along the bottom of the trench between the first work station and a second similarly, equipped work station. The trolley has a low-boy, high capacity jack capable of raising the axle together with the associated car end or ends, to be blocked-up in-situ.