US Patent 11525221 Railroad tie plating machine and method

A plating system for attaching a pair of tie plates to a wooden railroad tie with screw spikes such that the tie plates are aligned and in gauge. A predrilling system is used to predrill holes in the appropriate position on the railroad tie according to the line end of the tie prior to loading the tie into the plating system. The plating system clamps the railroad tie in registration according to the line end of the tie, and holds the tie plates in the appropriate position while a pair of hydraulic screw-presses turn screw spikes to fasten the tie plates to the railroad tie in gauge, centered and aligned on the railroad tie.