A rail plate handling device is provided for removing and reinstalling rail tie plates located on rail ties on a railroad track, includes a frame configured for movement relative to the track, at least one tie plate gripping assembly mounted to the frame, the assembly configured for grasping a selected tie plate at the front and rear edges between an adjacent one of the at least one raised rail raised from the operational position supported by the selected tie plate and the associated tie in the operational position upon which the plate was resting, each gripping assembly including a pair of opposing gripping jaws which are configured for controlled reciprocation in a direction parallel to the rails along a guide bar, the guide bar being slidable with the gripping jaws and the selected plate, relative to the frame.

A rail plate handling device is provided for removing and reinstalling rail tie plates located on rail ties on a railroad track, includes a frame configured for movement relative to the track, at least one tie plate gripping assembly mounted to the frame, the assembly configured for grasping a selected tie plate at the front and rear edges between an adjacent one of the at least one raised rail raised from the operational position supported by the selected tie plate and the associated tie in the operational position upon which the plate was resting, each gripping assembly including a pair of opposing gripping jaws which are configured for controlled reciprocation in a direction parallel to the rails along a guide bar, the guide bar being slidable with the gripping jaws and the selected plate, relative to the frame.

A rail lifting head (10) comprises a head gate member (20) defining a gate aperture (22), a rail support member (24) removably secured to the gate member (20) and adapted to support a rail vertically within the gate aperture (22), and a head cartridge (100) which is removably secured to the head gate member (20). The head cartridge (100) includes two opposed vertical rollers (128) which support a rail laterally within the gate aperture and a fixing (112) which secures the head cartridge (100) to the head gate member (20). The rail support member (24) is removable from the head gate member (20).

A rail lifting head (10) comprises a head gate member (20) defining a gate aperture (22), a rail support member (24) removably secured to the gate member (20) and adapted to support a rail vertically within the gate aperture (22), and a head cartridge (100) which is removably secured to the head gate member (20). The head cartridge (100) includes two opposed vertical rollers (128) which support a rail laterally within the gate aperture and a fixing (112) which secures the head cartridge (100) to the head gate member (20). The rail support member (24) is removable from the head gate member (20).

A rail lifting head (10) comprises a head gate member (20) defining a gate aperture (22), a rail support member (24) removably secured to the gate member (20) and adapted to support a rail vertically within the gate aperture (22), and a head cartridge (100) which is removably secured to the head gate member (20). The head cartridge (100) includes two opposed vertical rollers (128) which support a rail laterally within the gate aperture and a fixing (112) which secures the head cartridge (100) to the head gate member (20). The rail support member (24) is removable from the head gate member (20).

A rail plate handling device is provided for removing and reinstalling rail tie plates located on rail ties on a railroad track, includes a frame configured for movement relative to the track, at least one tie plate gripping assembly mounted to the frame, the assembly configured for grasping a selected tie plate at the front and rear edges between an adjacent one of the at least one raised rail raised from the operational position supported by the selected tie plate and the associated tie in the operational position upon which the plate was resting, each gripping assembly including a pair of opposing gripping jaws which are configured for controlled reciprocation in a direction parallel to the rails along a guide bar, the guide bar being slidable with the gripping jaws and the selected plate, relative to the frame.

A rail plate handling device is provided for removing and reinstalling rail tie plates located on rail ties on a railroad track, includes a frame configured for movement relative to the track, at least one tie plate gripping assembly mounted to the frame, the assembly configured for grasping a selected tie plate at the front and rear edges between an adjacent one of the at least one raised rail raised from the operational position supported by the selected tie plate and the associated tie in the operational position upon which the plate was resting, each gripping assembly including a pair of opposing gripping jaws which are configured for controlled reciprocation in a direction parallel to the rails along a guide bar, the guide bar being slidable with the gripping jaws and the selected plate, relative to the frame.