Abstract: A combined tamper and compaction apparatus for use on a railroad track leveling machine utilizes hollow tamping tools which are inserted in loose ballast on either side of a cross tie. The tamping tools are vibrated to "fluidize" the ballast and plungers mounted within the tamping tools force the ballast therein downwardly and outwardly beneath the ties. Thereafter the tamping tools with plungers extended are raised and lowered to compact the ballast.