RTW model 2181A

The RTW Model 2181A is a rail-mounted Tie Crane (also known as a tie handler) originally manufactured by Railway Track-Work Company (RTW) and later supported under the Harsco Rail equipment lineage. It is designed for maintenance-of-way (MOW) crews to lift, place, and distribute wooden or concrete railroad ties along the track

Primary Function. Handles railroad ties during track construction, tie replacement gangs, and general right-of-way maintenance using a boom-mounted tie gripper head.
Powertrain. Typically equipped with a diesel engine (such as a Detroit Diesel) driving a hydraulic system that powers rail travel, boom articulation, and grapple functions.
Rail Mobility. Features a self-propelled, flanged-wheel undercarriage designed to operate directly on standard-gauge track.
Boom & Grapple System. Uses an articulating hydraulic boom paired with a rotating tie gripper head to pick up and position ties on either side of the track or in front of the machine.