The present invention relates to railway rail handling apparatus 10 and a method of handling railway rails using such apparatus. The railway rail handling apparatus 10 is configured for track side operation and comprises ground engaging wheel means 28 and rail moving means 12. The rail moving means 12 is configured to engage a railway rail 80 along part of its length and for its progressive movement longitudinally along the rail as the railway rail handling apparatus 10 moves on the ground engaging wheel means 28. As the rail moving means 12 moves in this fashion the rail moving means is configured to progressively bend the rail 80 laterally of an unbent part of the rail, thereby moving the rail from a first position to a second position. The railway rail handling apparatus 10 defines a footprint over the ground and the rail moving means is, in use, operative within the footprint.