If you add the time necessary to prepare the job, obtain the materials, distribute the new ties, line and surface the track, plus collect and dispose of the old ties and scrap OTM, you're looking at more like two man-hours per tie. Also, a lot depends on the ballast conditions you start out with and how meticulous you are about dressing the ballast section afterwards. Mechanization doesn't necessarily save a lot of man-hours since the equipment needs maintenance, but it can save a lot of aching backs.

/s/ Larry
Lawrence G. Lovejoy, P.E.

I think the you factor all of the MOW guys (welders, gas/diesel mechanics, etc.) then you may be looking at the 1-2 hours per tie. But strictly focused on the task of the tie gang, from the foreman marking ties, to loading in the yard, transporting, and peddling out ties, to driving the spike or tamping, you can get about 100 in on a decent workday.