Abstract: Apparatus for removing a railroad tie from under conventional railroad tracks and inserting a replacement tie into the vacated tie position, including a base insertable below a conventional railroad track on either side of a tie to be removed, a shaft transversely positioned and rotatably mounted on the base and spaced above the base, a cable residing on the shaft having a first end secured to the shaft and having a remaining end loose for converting rotation of the shaft tensile force along the direction of extension of the cable, a clamp connected to the base for releasably engaging the rail below the operating surface, a lever for rotating the shaft, a ratchet for connecting the lever with the shaft for shaft rotation in a first direction and allowing lever rotation in an opposite angular direction without the shaft rotating and an attachment device for attaching the cable to an end of the railroad tie to be removed from or inserted under the railroad track.

Abstract: A novel rail jack adapter is disclosed for use with a railroad jack having a base for supporting the jack, a generally upright body extending away from that base, a rack longitudinally movable with respect to the jack body (at least the head of which rack is extensible beyond the head of said body), and a pivotal jack handle extending generally away from said body for moving said rack with respect to said body. This adapter permits such a jack to be readily converted for use in removing or replacing damaged or rotted railroad ties. The disclosed adapter eleminates the need to laborously remove or replace such ties by hand, and/or obviates the need for expensive tie-pulling equipment which is dedicated solely to that purpose.