A railway maintenance apparatus (10) configured for track side operation comprises an apparatus body (14, 16, 18) supported by first and second ground engaging means comprising chain treads (28) arranged at first and second opposite sides of the apparatus body, each chain tread (28) extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus,a rail lifting head (48) arranged below at least part of the apparatus body between the first and second ground engaging means(28), a lifting means (40) adapted to raise or lower the rail lifting head(48), anda plough (106) arranged at the first side of the apparatus body, the plough including a blade (104) arranged to sweep ballast and a plough support structure (150) connecting the blade to the apparatus body. The spacing between the first and second ground engaging means (28) is between 0.7 and 1.5 m so that in operation the apparatus (10) can be used on single track railways, with one ground engaging means between the rails of the single track railway and the other ground engaging means to one side of the rails of the single track railway, on the ballast or area close to the track. The apparatus allows automated ballast removal in areas of restricted access.