10-4 Magazine November 2023

32 10-4 Magazine / November 2023 Trucking companies usually have a particular truck that will catch my attention, but what happens when there is more than one truck and the whole company has a great story? You take a different approach, get the history of the company, and include photos of not just one truck, but a handful of them. This is the story of Tramcor Corporation, a handful of their trucks, and why this third-generation company continues to be strong to this day. I went to visit Tramcor in Ogden, UT back in June to photograph one of their 389s along with some of their other trucks prior to heading to Wyoming to photograph another truck. I spoke with Derek Esplin, one of the current owners, prior to my arrival, and the little bit of insight into the company I received had me interested in learning more. Tramcor Corporation started out in 1970 as Wayne Braegger Trucking out of Willard, UT. Wayne and his wife Merlene started this company out of their home with their few trucks parked in the backyard of their property. Their first truck was a 1971 Peterbilt that, after Wayne drove, a few of his sons took turns behind the wheel of it, as well. One of their regular customers, Amcor, was what most would call their bread and butter. It was a regular haul of aggregate from Brigham City, UT to a precast plant in Ogden, UT. Wayne Braegger Trucking saw a name change in 1974 when they became Tramcor (utilizing letters from transportation for Amcor) Corporation. Over the years, the company’s growth proved the location in Willard was no longer accommodating, so parking and operations was moved to Farr West (with an Ogden, UT mailing address) in 1995, where the company remains based today. For most companies, not all the children step up to the plate to carry on a company that their parents started, but Wayne and Merlene’s children did just that. With the unfortunate passing of Wayne Braegger in 1996, their three sons and daughter stepped up and bought out their mother so they could carry on the legacy. Thesecondgeneration to takeover was Duane Braegger, Lynn Braegger, Mike Braegger, and Kathleen Garza. Everyone had their roles, which was only fitting with the strengths they each brought to the table. Duane Braegger started driving for the company in the fall of 1972 just after high school. He had been around trucks his whole life, so he didn’t give it any thought to what he would be doing for the rest of his life. He drove full time until 1986 when he came into the office to dispatch the 10-12 trucks they ran at that time. One by one, as the company grew, the siblings all ended up coming into the office or shop, taking on the new roles they would remain in. Duane The Diesel Addict: By Stephanie Haas became the president of the company when he and his siblings bought it. About five years ago, Duane sat down with his two sons and three of his nephews as it had come to the point that either the third generation was going to carry the torch of the company or look to a different option. In the discussion, there wasn’t another option but for the five cousins to take over! The five cousins consisted of Duane’s sons Luke and Shelby Braegger, Mike’s son Riley Braegger, Lynn’s son Josh Braegger, and Kathleen’s son Derek Esplin. As the process of buyout started, the brothers were the first to eventually retire while Kathleen still works for the company today. Duane retired last year on December 30, 2022, however, with trucking in his blood, he will still fill in driving at the company when they have a heavy week of transport. I spoke with Luke Braegger, Duane’s youngest son, about his role in NOT JUST ONE