A rail plate handling device is provided for removing and reinstalling rail tie plates, wherein at least one of the rails is raised from an operational position during the removal and installation process. A frame is configured for movement relative to the track; at least one tie plate gripping assembly is mounted to the frame, the assembly is configured for grasping a selected tie plate at front and rear edges between an adjacent rail raised from the operational position supported by the selected tie plate and the associated tie, pulling the selected plate away from the adjacent raised rail and away from the associated tie, retaining the selected plate in a suspended position above the track while the tie is extracted and a new tie inserted, and then replacing the suspended tie plate back upon the rail from a gage side of the rail.