gauge side back field side and back gauge side which rotate about preferably vertical axes or at least substantially vertical axes e g within 15 degrees of vertical each set of four upright rollers 28 cooperate with two horizontal rollers 30 which rotate about preferably horizontal axes or at least substantially horizontal axes e g within 15 degrees of horizontal the rollers 28 and 30 which are mounted on threader base plate 32 operate in known fashion to thread rails the rails are threaded as best shown in fig2 by rollers 28 and 30 capturing the base or flange of the rails and without any of the rollers contacting the ball or upper part of the rails referring to fig3 base 32 of each of the threaders 18 has mounted to it an anchor remover 20 including a support member 34 and cross support 36 both of which are welded or otherwise fixed to base 32 anchor removal roller 38 is rotatably mounted to support member 34 for rotation about axis 40 fig2 axis 40 extends transversely to the rail direction as shown in fig3 and is inclined as shown in fig2 the angle of inclination of axis 40 is preferably in a range between approximately 30 and 60 degrees relative to horizontal more preferably in a range between approximately 40 and 50 degrees most preferably the angle of inclination is about 45 degrees as the anchors hit the anchor removal roller 38 see fig2 and 3 the threader rollers 28 and 30 stabilize the rail relative to anchor removal roller 38 such that anchor removal roller 38 causes.