Tennessee Code Title 65. Public Utilities and Carriers § 65-10-105

When any principal contractor, by which is meant one who contracts directly with the railroad companies, shall refuse to pay any subcontractor, mechanic, laborer, or other person employed by the principal contractor for the performance of any of such work or the delivery of materials for the purposes provided for in § 65-10-101, such subcontractor, mechanic, laborer, or other person so employed by the principal contractor may elect to give notice, in writing, to the railroad company, setting out the work done or material furnished, and the amount claimed therefor, and, thereupon, the amount that may be due or owing from the railroad company to the principal contractor, not exceeding the sum claimed, shall be bound and liable, in the hands of the railroad company, for the payment of the amount so claimed, and shall constitute a first lien in favor of the claimant, superior to all other liens upon the company's railroad, and shall continue in force for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of service of such notice, and until the termination of any suit commenced within that time to enforce it.