Mobile installation for loading, transporting and unloading as well as exchanging railroad ties

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A mechanical tie gang comprises a train of open top railroad cars, a power-driven crane for loading and unloading ties and having an undercarriage arranged for mobility in the direction of the railroad track and a track, supporting the undercarriage of the crane for mobility above the top edges of the side walls of the railroad cars in this direction, the track comprising two parallel guide rails mounted on the top edges of the railroad cars and being spaced apart a distance corresponding to the gage of the crane undercarriage, the guide rails extending beyond the end walls of the railroad cars into the gaps between adjacent cars. This train is used in combination with a mobile apparatus …