A track welding system includes a welding assembly comprising oxyacetylene torches and a pair of gripping mechanisms. In the use of the system, the torches heat the adjacent ends of a pair of rails, and the gripping mechanism engage the heated ends under sufficient force to form a welded joint between the rails. The gripping mechanisms include vertical and horizontal locating assemblies for aligning the nails prior to heating. The vertical and angular positioning of the gripping mechanisms is adjustable to assure proper orientation of the rails after the welded joint is formed.