Rep. Barr tours R.J. Corman yard; speaks to contractors’ role in national rail network
Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
Rep. Andy Barr touring R.J. Corman’s mechanical shop at its rail yard in Lexington, Ky. From left to right: Kentucky State Senator Tom Buford, Rep. Andy Barr, R.J. Corman Railroad Group President & CEO Craig King, R.J. Corman Railroad Company Mechanical Superintendent Steve Jones and R.J. Corman Railroad Company President Michael Wester.
U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY-06) joined representatives from R.J. Corman Railroad Group and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) for a tour of R.J. Corman Railroad Group's rail yard in Lexington, Ky.
Additional attendees included R.J. Corman Railroad Group customers Standlee Premium Western Foliage and Clay Ingles Company, LLC, as well as state Sen. Tom Buford (R-KY-22) and representatives from GoRail, a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to educating the public about the benefits of moving more freight by rail.
R.J. Corman Railroad Group’s services include owning and operating 10 shortlines, providing emergency rail services associated with derailments and natural disasters, switching, track construction, track material distribution, signal design/construction, aircraft maintenance, building switching locomotives and operating two dinner trains. R.J. Corman Railroad Group has divisions in 24 states and employs more than 1,300 people, 400 of which are located in the state of Kentucky.
After a safety briefing, the congressman was led on a tour of the rail yard, which included a mechanical shop, sand train operations, a steam locomotive and a dinning and kitchen car. The event concluded with a train ride from Lexington to Midway and back.
“It was a pleasure to meet with the employees and leadership of R.J. Corman Railroad Group today,” said Rep. Barr. “Our meeting highlighted the importance of rail transportation both throughout Central Kentucky and the United States. This family business is a true testament to the foresight of the late Rick Corman and his many contributions to both the railroad industry and our community.”
