Can't tell what is on the end of the boom. Could be a clam shell for unloading ballast, a set of tongs for unloading track or switch ties or a
magnet for unloading loose items ie: anchors, kegs of spikes, kegs of bolts, loose tie plates or bags of clips for the concrete ties..
That backhoe is probably owned by the Herzog company. When I had my heart attack and a triple bypass in Colorado, retired in 2013 with 40 years and a month. Herzog used to have a lot of have a lot of contracted equipment on railroad property.
The last 8 years I worked on a unloading gang, distributing plates, spikes and anchors. We spread material in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas. Illinois,
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, Utah and Colorado,. We used a tracker, made by John Deere. Google The Brandt Company of Canada. Check their web site, it should show the machines they sell and rent.
T. J.