RTA's Tie Grading Seminar Hits Record Demand, Overselling for 5th Straight year

The Railway Tie Association’s (RTA) Tie Grading Seminar continues to break records, with the 2025 seminar overselling its capacity once again. To be hosted this year at the Koppers Inc. plant in Somerville, Texas, the seminar has grown steadily since 2021, reflecting its reputation as a cornerstone educational program for the wood crosstie industry.

Since its inception well over 30 years ago and having educated more than 1,200 students, the RTA Tie Grading Seminar has become an essential learning experience for sawmillers, producers, and railroaders, covering everything from wood tie sourcing to engineering. The event’s attendance has surged over the years, jumping from 41 participants in 2021 to a consistent 54 registrants in both 2024 and 2025.

“Our Tie Grading Seminar has grown into a must-attend event for our industry,” said RTA Executive Director Dr. Nate Irby. “The fact that we’ve oversold this seminar five years running is a testament to the quality of instruction, the commitment of our members, and the hands-on, real-world skills it offers to participants who then share their positive experience with the workforce.”

A standout factor in this year’s event is the participation of 10+ railroaders, a record-breaking number, further emphasizing the seminar’s relevance to all sectors of the wood tie industry, from tree to track.

WHAT’S DRIVING THIS SUCCESS
The course has traditionally been designed for 40 students, ensuring a manageable group size for classroom learning, plant tours, and tie testing activities throughout the program. However, since 2021, attendance has consistently surpassed this target, driven by several key factors contributing to its success.

• Rescheduled Timing for Better Access: In 2023, the seminar moved from its usual early August timeframe to mid-March, a shift that better accommodates participants’ schedules encourages broader attendance. “Plus, especially in the U.S. south, March is a much more pleasant time to be outside compared to the heat of early August,” Irby added.

• Student-Driven Content Improvements: The seminar instructors continuously refine the course based on direct feedback from students. This includes one-on-one interactions during the course and formal evaluations completed at the end. These adjustments ensure the content remains relevant and impactful, empowering students and enhancing their sense of professionalism.

• Expert Instruction with Real-World Insights: Two of the instructors are former Class I railroad professionals who added a treated tie inspection component to the course in 2022. “The treated tie inspection segment has been overwhelmingly positively received and helps flush out the full spectrum of a wood tie from tree to track,” Irby said. “The seminar instructors are diverse and knowledgeable, from track-work experience, to academia, to plant operations, and quality assurance/conformance backgrounds.”

• The Power of Word of Mouth: Positive experiences from past attendees play a major role in attracting new participants. Many students report attending because coworkers shared glowing reviews about the seminar, describing it as a valuable and rewarding experience.

• First-Hand Experiences Shared by Instructors: Instructors recently introduced a tie grading booth presentation by a former professional wood tie grader and certified lumber inspector. This addition provides students with first-hand insights into grading practices in a real-world processing facility.

By Nate Irby, Ph.D., Railway Tie Association Executive Director