A machine (100) for collecting tie plates (103) strewn along a rail bed (105) includes a frame (109) adapted for travel along a railroad (101) in a forward direction. A pickup drum (204) having magnetic properties is rotatably supported by the frame (109) and extends over a bed portion (105) of the railroad (101). A top drum (206) is mounted at a location that is higher and forward of the pickup drum (204) and rotates parallel to the pickup drum (204). An endless conveyor (202) circulates around the pickup drum (204) and the top drum (206), and a separation drum (220) is disposed between the pickup drum (204) and the top drum (206) along an ascending portion (214) of the endless conveyor (202). The separation drum (220) includes a magnetized rim (222) that can lift ferrous objects but not tie plates (103) from the endless conveyor (202).
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