A method and apparatus for transporting a pipeline pig provides a housing having an interior. A jacking mechanism is contained within the housing interior. A carriage is supported by the jacking mechanism for movement between an upper extended and a lower retracted position. The carriage has a concave surface that generally cradles a pipeline pig to be transported. A pulling device on the housing enables a pipeline pig to be pulled from a location that is not on the carriage to a position that is on the carriage. The position that is not on the carriage can be for example a pig trap. As part of the method of the present invention, the pulling device pulls the pig from the pig trap or other location to the carriage and then the carriage is retracted into the housing for transport to a remote location.