Caleb Asher, Sr., founder and operator of New Way Transportation System, Inc., always had an interest in moving things. The first house move Caleb saw was a house being moved off a railroad right of way in the late 1920’s. In those days the railroad company placed hewed out logs under the house and rolled the house back with wooden rollers pulled by a team of oxen using ropes and blocks. At ten years old, little did Caleb know this would be the career path he would take. Living in the coal camps of Southeast Kentucky, Caleb grew up taking on many types of jobs pertaining to the coal business and other kinds of moving projects. He ended up moving coal tipples when companies had mined out and needed to move to a new location. Since he was connected with many coal companies, he took on the task of demolishing camp houses. With no formal knowledge of house moving, Caleb found he could load those houses on lowboys and sell them to people who needed a home. He used railroad jacks, some steel beams, a truck, a lowboy and a dozer.
Betty and Caleb Asher in company office. Betty, Caleb’s wife, did the bookkeeping for the company.
And so began New Way Transportation System, Inc. This was in the 1950’s, the same time in U.S. history that the interstate system began. Caleb acquired better house moving equipment and began moving all types of houses for highways, dams and airports right of way acquisitions. He moved brick, block and frame residential and commercials buildings. He moved anything from an outhouse to an 850 ton block grocery store building.
Tommy Asher, John Hays, Benny Myers, Caleb Asher, Sonny Asher
The second generation joined the company in the late 1960’s. At age 13, Caleb Asher, Jr., “Sonny”, began working with his Dad. Sonny learned the moving business from the ground up. Even after taking over the business in the late 80’s and early 90’s, Sonny still uses some of the same methods taught to him by his dad. He employs techniques and equipment that no other house mover uses.
Sonny’s most valuable lessons learned from his dad were honesty, hard work and a job well done. New Way has been in business for 65 years. Modern equipment and experience gained through the years has made a solid company even better. There are buildings standing all over this area as a testimony to what we were able to do. But, our greatest achievement has been all those clients who became our friends. They have made all the hard work worthwhile.
Caleb Asher and his son, Sonny.
Our primary job is moving and raising buildings. We are also experienced and able to move transformers, coal washers, railroad cars, water tanks or towers and industrial machinery. We are ready to move whatever you need.