Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-10-101: Lien of contractors

Where any railroad company contracts with any person for the grading of its roadway, the construction or repair of its culverts, bridges, and masonry, the furnishing of cross-ties, the laying of its track, the erection of its depots, platforms, wood or water stations, section houses, machine shops, or other buildings, or for the delivery of material for any of these purposes, or for engineering or superintendence, there shall be a lien upon such railroad, its franchise and property, in favor of the person with whom the railroad company contracts for the performance of the work or the delivery of the materials, to the amount of the debt contracted for such performance or delivery.