Abstract: Provided herein is a railway anchor holder for a to machinery used for applying anchors to rail ties. The anchor holder can have a frame having a pivot bore formed therein. In one example, the railway anchor holder can have a hydraulic actuator arranged in the top of the frame. The railway anchor holder can include a first retaining forming a side of the frame, wherein the first retaining wall has a recessed seat aligned along the bottom. The railway anchor holder can have a second retaining wall located opposite to and aligned parallel with the first retaining wall on the frame. The recessed seat may have a first contact surface aligned with the hydraulic actuator, a second contact surface located at a distal end of the first retaining wall, and a clearance surface formed between the first and second contact surfaces.