Abstract: A rail heater car for heating rails in a continuous track installation procedure is provided. The rail heater car includes a power generation arrangement for generating the power required for operation of the car. A drive system uses the generated power to propel the car along a set of rails in a transportation mode and a creep mode. An induction heater is connected to and extends from the car for operational engagement with the rails to induce heat in the rails. Data gathering devices are included on the car to input and store data concerning environmental conditions, time, and temperature of the rails for use in adjusting the output of the induction heater and for use in statistical predictive maintenance.