Abstract: A modular railway maintenance system for performing at least one of a plurality of right-of-way maintenance tasks on a railroad track includes a base unit including a frame having a plurality of wheels for rotatably engaging the railroad track, a first side corresponding to a first rail of the railroad track, a second side corresponding to a second rail of the railroad track, and at least one of a plurality of task-oriented modules being releasably connectable to the base unit for selective operation of distinct tasks on either side of the base unit.

Abstract: An automatic fastener applicator for securing fasteners to track support members of a railroad track includes a retaining apparatus for receiving and orienting at least one of the fasteners for application to the track support members, and a drive apparatus for automatically engaging at least one of the oriented fasteners and for rotating the fastener axially for engagement upon the rail support members.

Abstract: This is a method of and apparatus for forming a trench in the ballast under railroad track, commonly referred to as scarifying, and for grasping new ties, one at a time, positioned on top of the rails, drawing each tie in turn out to one side, positioning it opposite the trench and inserting it, all in a series of coordinated movements in sequence with a minimum, if any, disturbance of the ballast.