A method for moving a wind turbine component(42)relative to a wind turbine (16) having a tower(18)with a door (26) for closing off an opening (90)through the tower (18) includes removably positioning a transport system (40)relative to thewind turbine(16), the transport system (40) having a track (44)and a powered drive device(118), such that a first end (78) of the track (44) is positioned outside the tower(18), a second end (80) of the track(44)is positioned inside the tower(18), and the track(44)extends through the opening (90) in the tower(18). The transport system(40)is configured to facilitate movement of the wind turbine component (42) between an inside of the tower (18) and an outsideof the tower (18) through the opening(90). The method further comprises moving the wind turbine component(42)vertically within the tower(18)away from or toward the track (44) using the powered drive device (118) of the transport system(40). A transport system(40)for implementing such a method is also disclosed.
