in an end plating machine for a wood tie having opposite ends comprising a frame including horizontally spaced - apart first and second end frames with the frame including tie in - feed and out - feed portions ; a conveyor is provided for positioning a tie between the end frames . first and second tie dampers are positioned adjacent the first and second end frames for clamping the ends of a tie positioned therebetween . first and second power rams are mounted on the first and second end frames , respectively , for driving an end plate into the ends of the tie while the tie is being clamped by the first and second tie clampers . first and second end plate hoppers are positioned on the first and second end frames , respectively , for supporting a plurality of end plates therein . first and second end plate transporters are mounted on the first and second end frames , respectively , for successively transporting individual end plates from the hopper to a position adjacent the ends of the tie positioned in the tie clampers so that the power rams may drive the end plates into the ends of the tie . the end plates are stored and moved to the end plate hoppers in stacks secured by a flexible holding strap with a handle . the strap is cut once the end plates are in the hopper to allow the end plates to be transported individually .