Abstract: The invention provides a lifting device for re-railing railroad vehicles comprising a guide rail which is adapted to be disposed substantially horizontally in use, having an outer surface including a toothed rack, a traveller mounted by rollers for guided movement along the rail, the traveller being adapted to support a lifting jack or the like in use, and a drive engaging the toothed rack for transversely moving the traveller.

Abstract: The invention provides a snatch block of the type having a sheave rotatably mounted between a pair of cheek plates with a suspension eye for anchoring the snatch block secured to the cheek plates, characterized in that opposed sides of the cheek plates between the suspension means and sheave access are angled outwardly to provide a V-shaped entry to the sheave for a cable, chain or the like. Another feature of the invention provides for inwardly directed lip formations to be defined at the upper ends of the cheek plates to prevent the cable on the sheave from riding upwardly into the suspension eye.