TRAM Construction Celebrates 35th Anniversary
Staff of US Congressman Thomas Massie, of US Senator Mitch McConnell and of Governor Matt Blevin in Attendance
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
by: Lindsey Collins
Section: 2017 NRC Grassroots Events
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Garrison, Ky. – On October 17, staff of U.S. Congressman Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), of U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and of Governor Matt Bevin (R-Ky.) joined National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) member company, TRAM Construction (TRAM), for the company’s 35th anniversary celebration in Garrison, Ky.
TRAM Founder and President Terry LeMaster gave an overview of the company and their current operations. TRAM is a family owned and operated railroad contracting company that provides track services and railroad materials for the private and public sectors. TRAM currently has 25 employees, and has served clients throughout the Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States during its 35-year history.
Terry’s introduction to the railroad construction business began with Chessie System where he worked as a camp car cook. His career progressed and it was during his time working as a foreman that he saw a need to provide local industries with track repairs and maintenance. He did so on nights and weekends and quickly developed a reputation for providing quality work. In 1983, Terry was awarded a contract from Mead Paper Company, and the dream of owning his own business became a reality.
Guests went on a walk-through of the facility where TRAM maintains a large inventory of relay rail and other railroad track material. This material is received by rail car at the Garrison location, where it is sorted to use for future track projects or processed and sold as piling or scrap to local foundries.
TRAM also extended its track siding and began leasing a portion of their yard to Koppers this past spring. TRAM loads green ties into railcars and transports them to Koppers’ plant in Guthrie, Ky. for treatment. Koppers is a world leader in the manufacturing of treated wood products, primarily for the railroad and electric/communications industries. Koppers has been serving the railroad industry with treated wood railroad ties and railroad crossing panel products for 25 years. In North America, Koppers is the largest provider of railroad crossties for the Class I railroads. Koppers is a member of both the NRC and the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA).
Following the tour, the group ate Uncle Toad’s Barbeque, which made a pit stop in Garrison before heading to the 2017 World Food Championship in Orange Beach, Ala. to serve up their award winning brisket.
Also in attendance were: Leslia LeMaster Wilson, Operations Manager at TRAM; Lindsey LeMaster, Business Development Manager at TRAM; Aaron Thompson, Field Representative for Governor Bevin; Chris McCrane, District Director for Congressman Massie; JR Reed, Senior Field Representative for Congressman Massie; Shane Noem, Field Representative for Senator McConnell; Lindsey Collins, Vice President of Grassroots Advocacy at the NRC; and Sean Winkler, Director of Advocacy at REMSA.