Update: 2024 Tie Grading Seminar registration has closed!
To be added to our waiting list, please email us at [email protected] or call (770) 460-5553.

2024 Tie Grading Seminar

Birmingham, Alabama
March 18–21, 2024
Arrive no later than 5 p.m., Monday, March 18.
Classes on March 19 and 20 are full days.
Class on March 21 is a half day with an optional treated-tie final inspection.

Registration Form

Hotel Link For Reservations

Informative Video

2023 Seminar Recap

2024 Tie Grading Seminar Agenda*

Monday, March 18

5 pm - Welcome Reception at Hampton Inn Calera

Tuesday, March 19

8:00 am - Arrival at Plant: Welcome, Course Overview, Safety Briefing
8:30 am - Introduction to Crosstie Defects
9:30 am - Break
9:45 am - Limitations
10:15 am - Engineering: Brief History and Why Defects Matter
11:00 am - Tie Inspection Grading Booth Perspective and Grading 101 - Tie Grading Station Videos
11:30 am - Lunch
12:30 pm - Grading Video
12:45 pm - Reduced Speed Grading Station Quiz & Discussion (Test 1)
1:45 pm - Break
2:00 pm - Wood Identification Basics/Intro to RTA Species
3:30 pm - Break
3:45 pm - Breakout 4 Groups Cut Off > Species ID
4:00 pm - Big Block Species ID Test (Groups=Oak/Hickory, Mixed Hardwoods, Softwoods, Excluded)
4:45 pm - Review of Day 1 > Driven by Class Needs

Wednesday, March 20

8:00 am - Arrival at Plant: Insects, Fungi, and Air Drying plus Tree to Treating Plant
8:45 am - Full Plant Operations & Inspection Points
9:45 am - Treating Demonstration (Full Cell)
10:00 am - Break
10:15 am - Review any Defects Questions
11:00 am - Review any Species Questions
11:30 am - Lunch
1:15 pm - Tour Treating Plant
2:15 pm 1-25 Ties > ID and Grade Practice
3:30 pm - Answers for Practice Ties
4:00 pm - Return to Hotel

Thursday, March 21

8:00 am - Arrive at Plant: Wood Tie and Timber Procurement
8:30 am - Review Defects and Specification
8:55 am - RTA Tie Grading App and Website
9:00 am - Review Species Groupings
9:15 am - Drive to Plant
9:45 am - Instructions for Final Test and Final Questions
10:00 am - Final Test - Ties 26-50 - Grade and ID
11:00 am - Answers for Final Test
11:15 am - Boxed Lunch at the Plant
Noon - Awards/Certificates/Evaluations/Closing
12:15 pm - Treated Tie Final Inspection (as needed)

Those leaving on Thursday and not joining the optional treated tie inspection must check out of the hotel before our morning departure to the plant.