What are the main differences between Mobile and Locomotive Cranes according to ANSI B30.5?

According to ANSI B30.5, the main differences between mobile and locomotive cranes lie in their mobility and application. Mobile cranes are self-propelled cranes with the ability to travel on various surfaces, offering greater flexibility in terms of movement and positioning on a job site. They can be equipped with different types of booms (lattice or telescopic) and can be mounted on various carrier types (truck, crawler, or all-terrain). Locomotive cranes, in contrast, are rail-mounted cranes specifically designed for use on railroad tracks. Their movement is restricted to the tracks, but they offer high lifting capacity and stability for rail-related construction and maintenance tasks. For instance, a mobile crane can be driven to different locations within a construction site to lift materials, while a locomotive crane is used to lift and place railroad ties or equipment along a rail line. They are very different in their mobility.