Intentionally kept small to encourage maximum engagement, the Railway Tie Association (RTA) 2026 Member Field Trip is designed to provide meaningful opportunities for members to connect.

This year, it was held June 8-11 in the Union City, Tenn./Guthrie, Ky., area and brought together members from across the wood tie industry, including railroaders, wood treaters, wood preservative suppliers, sawmill and treating plant equipment manufacturers, automation solutions providers, educators, and others.

The Field Trip opened Monday, June 8, with an RTA Research & Development Committee meeting, followed by a welcome reception sponsored by Tietan at the Hampton Inn Union City. RTA Executive Director Nate Irby, Ph.D., welcomed attendees and reviewed logistics for the stops in the coming days.

At the reception, attendees enjoyed impromptu conversations in both one-on-one and group settings, with discussions ranging from hardwood market trends and business developments to personal updates and other industry topics.

The evening wrapped up with a pick-up jam session featuring guitar music and songs from Irby, Dave Koch of Wheeler Lumber LLC, and others, including Jess Suttles of North American Tie & Timber.

Shane Kitchens, Ph.D., of Natural Wood Solutions said he found the Field Trip valuable not only for the planned stops but also for the conversations that naturally develop throughout the event.

“The RTA Member Field Trip provides tremendous value because the learning doesn’t stop when the tour does,” Kitchens said. “Whether you’re on the bus, at a reception, or visiting with fellow members between stops, meaningful conversations are constantly taking place. Those informal discussions often lead to valuable insights and opportunities to learn from one another in ways that might not happen in a more traditional meeting setting.”

Tuesday’s agenda took the group to Middleton Lumber in Puryear, Tenn., and later to Pennyrile Sawmill in Crofton, Ky., where attendees got a firsthand look at sawmill operations.

A fourth-generation family operation, Middleton Lumber specializes in cutting red oak, white oak, and poplar. Tracy Middleton said the 35-employee mill includes some second-generation workers and noted that, like many sawmills, the company continues to navigate the difficulty of finding skilled labor while remaining committed to training the next generation. “It’s a challenge to find skilled labor, but we are prepared to train the younger generation,” she said.

Following lunch, a presentation by the Tennessee Forestry Association, and a Pinewood Derby-style car-racing activity sponsored by North American Tie & Timber at the Lodge at Paris Landing State Park, the group visited Pennyrile Sawmill, a multi-generational operation run by an Amish/Mennonite family.

Owned by Mahlon Graber and his father, James, the mill also employs three of Mahlon’s brothers: Lester, Stephan, and Solomon. Pennyrile manufactures a variety of products, including wood ties, grade lumber, and flooring. Predominant species include red oak, white oak, and poplar.

Despite its traditional family roots, Pennyrile is a high-tech operation employing about 70 people. The Graber family welcomed the Field Trip group with homemade frozen yogurt churned with the assistance of a pony, a perfect treat on a warm summer day.

Terry Lambert, treating supervisor for Falkville Wood Treating in Falkville, Ala., said the sawmill visits were a highlight for him. “Having spent much of my career in wood preservation, I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to visit the sawmills,” he said. “It was interesting to see the earliest stages of wood tie production and gain a deeper appreciation for everything that happens before wood ties reach the treating plant.”

A reception back at the hotel, sponsored by Nisus Corporation, rounded out the day, offering members another opportunity to unwind, network, and continue conversations sparked by the day’s tours.

Wednesday began early, with members boarding the tour bus at 7 a.m. for Guthrie, Ky., and a visit to the Koppers wood preserving plant. There, attendees received an in-depth look at the treating process and plant operations.

Adding to the experience was tour guide Josh Kmoch, Koppers director of operations, a Tie Grading Seminar instructor, and a member of RTA’s Education Committee, whose expertise helped provide additional perspective during the tour.

Josh Robbins of AmeriTies South LLC said he particularly enjoyed the Koppers plant tour. “One of the biggest benefits of the Field Trip was gaining a better understanding of our own operation by seeing how another treating plant approaches similar processes. It’s always valuable to see things from a different perspective and bring those insights back home.”

The group then visited the Progress Rail locomotive repair shop, where attendees saw locomotives, some still operational from the 1950s, in every stage of repair and refurbishment. The precision of the work underway was impressive, and the facility stood out for its emphasis on safety, efficiency, and efficient workflow.

Following the Progress Rail visit, attendees returned to Union City for a bowling outing and closing reception sponsored by Wheeler Lumber LLC. The group enjoyed an afternoon of friendly competition along with food, drinks, and conversation in a relaxed setting.

For Paul Robillard of Canadian National, the Field Trip was both enjoyable and informative. “This was my first RTA event, and I really enjoyed it. It was a great opportunity to get to know fellow members while also touring sawmills, a treating plant, and other operations. Seeing the wood tie journey from tree to track firsthand gave me a much greater appreciation for the process and the people involved.”

Having attended four RTA Field Trips now, Jonathan Whitehead, Eastern Region Sales for Viance LLC, said there is much for members to gain by attending. "Attending the field trip provided valuable firsthand insight into how ties go from forest to track," he said. "The field trip explains the manufacturing, treatment, handling, and end-use of railroad ties, making it an important opportunity to better understand industry best practices, strengthen technical knowledge, and build meaningful relationships with professionals across the railroad supply chain."

Mike McNail, vice president of Missouri Tie, LLC and a member of RTA's Executive Committee, has attended multiple field trips, bringing along members of his team. "It's a great opportunity for my team to gain more visibility of the industry outside of their day-to-day schedule: networking with others in the industry, sharing knowledge and great fellowship," he said. "The most recent field trip included a tour of a locomotive engine repair facility. You don't get an opportunity like that evert day."

RTA’s 2027 Field Trip will take attendees to the Hope, Ark., area, where a visit to the AmeriTies South LLC plant, sawmills, and other wood tie-related manufacturing operations are planned.

Irby said the success of the 2026 RTA Member Field Trip was made possible with the generous support of its sponsors. He expressed appreciation to Tietan; Missouri Tie LLC; North American Tie & Timber; Stella-Jones Corp.; Nisus Corporation; Viance LLC; Wheeler Lumber LLC; Koppers Inc.; Progress Rail; and Friends of RTA sponsors American Wood Technology, AmeriTies, and Natural Wood Solutions.

“We are grateful to each of these companies for their support of the 2026 RTA Member Field Trip,” Irby said. “Their sponsorship allowed us to provide members with an outstanding educational experience, opportunities to strengthen relationships, and a closer look at the wood tie journey from tree to track. We appreciate their partnership and continued support of RTA and its mission.”