Abstract: An apparatus for removing a rail anchor from a rail, the apparatus constructed and arranged to be mounted on a railway maintenance vehicle having a frame, and including a scraper for applying a preload against the anchor and for removing the anchor from the rail, and a pusher insert for applying vertical pressure against the anchor to impact and dislodge the anchor from the rail. An improved method for removing a rail anchor from a rail involves applying a preload or a horizontal scraping force against the first, curved end of the anchor with the scraper, applying vertical pressure against the second, knobbed end of the anchor with the pusher to impact and dislodge the anchor from the rail, and removing the dislodged anchor from the rail with the scraper.

Abstract: A rail anchor remover for removing rail anchors from a rail, the rail anchor remover constructed and arranged to be mounted on a railway maintenance vehicle having a frame, and including a reciprocating pusher insert configured to impact and detach a rail anchor, a reciprocating scraper configured to remove the detached rail anchor, at least one pusher proximity switch for monitoring and controlling the disposition of the pusher insert, at least one scraper proximity switch for monitoring and controlling the disposition of the scraper shaft, and a guide rod for stabilizing the reciprocation of the pusher insert.