A tie cap rail holder for securing a railroad rail to its supporting tie comprises a cap dimensioned to seat gravitationally over the top of the tie in a restricted, longitudinally slidable fit. The cap has on its upper surface a rail seat dimensioned to receive the rail base. On one side of the rail seat an upwardly and inwardly extending detent is dimensioned and positioned for engaging and retaining the adjacent side margin of the rail base. A plurality of the holders are adapted for opposite placement on adjacent ties, with their respective detents engaging opposite side margins of the rail base, thereby securing the rail to the ties.