Clinchfield Railroad
Encyclopedia
The Clinchfield Railroad was an operating and holding company
for the Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio Railway . The line ran from the coalfield
s of Virginia
and Elkhorn City
, Kentucky
, to the textile mills of South Carolina
. The 35-mile segment from Dante, Virginia
, to Elkhorn City, opening up the coal lands north of Sandy Ridge Mountains and forming a connection with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway
at Elkhorn City, was completed in 1915.
The Clinchfield was the last Class I railroad
built in the U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains. The 266-mile railroad provided access to numerous scenic wonders of the Appalachian region and is probably best-known for the state-of-the-art railroad engineering techniques applied in its construction, as exemplified by the Clinchfield Loops climbing the Blue Ridge Mountains
north of Marion
, North Carolina
.
The Clinchfield Railroad began operating the line December 1, 1924, and for many years it was leased jointly by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad
and Louisville and Nashville Railroad
. When the L&N merged with the ACL's successor, the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad
, effective January 1, 1983, forming the Seaboard System Railroad
, the separate operating company was unnecessary and was merged into the Seaboard. The line is now owned and operated by CSX Transportation
as their Blue Ridge Subdivision (Spartanburg to Erwin, Tennessee
) and Kingsport Subdivision
(Erwin to Elkhorn City).
General John T. Wilder
received a charter for Charleston, Cincinnati and Chicago Railroad, commonly referred to as the "3-C" Railroad. This was the beginning of the modern Clinchfield. The promoters of this ambitious project proposed a 625-mile line from Ironton
, Ohio
, to Charleston, South Carolina
, with an extension down the Ohio River
to Cincinnati. It would serve the rich agricultural lands of the Piedmont, the summer resorts of the North Carolina mountains, the rich timber and mineral deposits and coal fields of Virginia and Kentucky, with terminals on both the Ohio River and the Atlantic seacoast. The estimated cost was $21 million. Johnson City, Tennessee
was established as the headquarters for the 3-C railroad and that city became a railway boom town.
Construction progressed from Johnson City to both the north and south. Tracks reached Erwin, Tennessee
in 1890. The roadway grading was 90% complete from Johnson City to Dante, Virginia, in 1893, when the 3-C began to experience financial problems and then failed in the national depression of that year. In July 1893, the assets of the 3-C railroad were sold at a foreclosure
for $550,000. The new owners renamed it the "Ohio River and Charleston Railroad." The construction continued in a halfhearted manner and in 1897 owners began to sell off the railroad in segments.
At this time, an enterprising entrepreneur, George Lafayette Carter
, was involved in developing the coal lands of southwestern Virginia. He needed a railroad to transport his coal to a south Atlantic seaport. In 1902, he purchased the Ohio River and Charleston Railroad, renamed it the Clinchfield Railroad, and organized a gigantic construction program to get it completed. Between 1905 and 1909 the road was completed from Dante, Virginia, to Spartanburg, South Carolina
. Carter was successful in getting adequate financing for the construction and built the railroad to construction standards far beyond the norms of the times. Consequently, Clinchfield has not had to reduce grades, lighten curves, straighten bridges, and enlarge tunnels to handle heavier and larger equipment as other railroads have had to do. Carter originally established the Clinchfield headquarters in Johnson City, Tennessee but later moved the headquarters to Erwin, Tennessee when he could not get required land for the main shops and classification yard
s. Erwin remained Clinchfield's headquarters for the remainder of Clinchfield's existence.
A station was built in 1910 near Little Switzerland, North Carolina
for visitors to the resort. The resort built Etchoe Pass Road, a 4-mile long toll road
, connecting to it. The tolls were lifted and the road is now North Carolina Highway 226A. The toll booths are still visible. The station's original name was Mount Mitchell Station but it was subsequently changed to Little Switzerland.
The Clinchfield lost its identity in the mid-1970s when it came under the Family Lines System banner, which was a marketing arrangement of allying roads Seaboard Coast Line, L&N, and several smaller railroads. Perhaps what the Clinchfield is best remembered for, aside from its primary traffic source of coal, is its famous Santa Claus Special. The train debuted in 1943 and ran the length of the Clinchfield's main line between Elkhorn City and Spartanburg handing out gifts to kids living along the route. Today, it is still operated by CSX Transportation in conjunction with the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce and is now known as the Santa Train.
Holding company
A holding company is a company or firm that owns other companies' outstanding stock. It usually refers to a company which does not produce goods or services itself; rather, its purpose is to own shares of other companies. Holding companies allow the reduction of risk for the owners and can allow...
for the Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio Railway . The line ran from the coalfield
Coalfield
A coalfield is an area of certain uniform characteristics where coal is mined. The criteria for determining the approximate boundary of a coalfield are geographical and cultural, in addition to geological...
s of Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
and Elkhorn City
Elkhorn City, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,060 people, 437 households, and 295 families residing in the city. The population density was 525.5 people per square mile . There were 506 housing units at an average density of 250.8 per square mile...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, to the textile mills of South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. The 35-mile segment from Dante, Virginia
Dante, Virginia
Dante is a census-designated place in Russell County, Virginia. The population as of the 2010 Census was 649....
, to Elkhorn City, opening up the coal lands north of Sandy Ridge Mountains and forming a connection with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway
Chesapeake and Ohio Railway
The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway was a Class I railroad formed in 1869 in Virginia from several smaller Virginia railroads begun in the 19th century. Led by industrialist Collis P...
at Elkhorn City, was completed in 1915.
The Clinchfield was the last Class I railroad
Class I railroad
A Class I railroad in the United States and Mexico, or a Class I rail carrier in Canada, is a large freight railroad company, as classified based on operating revenue.Smaller railroads are classified as Class II and Class III...
built in the U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains. The 266-mile railroad provided access to numerous scenic wonders of the Appalachian region and is probably best-known for the state-of-the-art railroad engineering techniques applied in its construction, as exemplified by the Clinchfield Loops climbing the Blue Ridge Mountains
Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. This province consists of northern and southern physiographic regions, which divide near the Roanoke River gap. The mountain range is located in the eastern United States, starting at its southern-most...
north of Marion
Marion, North Carolina
Marion is a city in McDowell County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 7,943 at the 2008 estimated census. It is the county seat of McDowell County.-Geography:Marion is located at ....
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
.
The Clinchfield Railroad began operating the line December 1, 1924, and for many years it was leased jointly by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad
The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad was an American railroad that existed between 1900 and 1967, when it merged with the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, its long-time rival, to form the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad...
and Louisville and Nashville Railroad
Louisville and Nashville Railroad
The Louisville and Nashville Railroad was a Class I railroad that operated freight and passenger services in the southeast United States.Chartered by the state of Kentucky in 1850, the L&N, as it was generally known, grew into one of the great success stories of American business...
. When the L&N merged with the ACL's successor, the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad
Seaboard Coast Line Railroad
The Seaboard Coast Line Railroad was a former Class I railroad company operating in the Southeastern United States beginning in 1967. Its passenger operations were taken over by Amtrak in 1971...
, effective January 1, 1983, forming the Seaboard System Railroad
Seaboard System Railroad
The Seaboard System Railroad was a former Class I railroad created by merging the railroads of the Family Lines System. Although sharing common ownership, the railroads of the Family Lines System used different names when conducting business...
, the separate operating company was unnecessary and was merged into the Seaboard. The line is now owned and operated by CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
as their Blue Ridge Subdivision (Spartanburg to Erwin, Tennessee
Erwin, Tennessee
Erwin is a town in and the county seat of Unicoi County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 5,610 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Johnson City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the Johnson City–Kingsport–Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical Area...
) and Kingsport Subdivision
Kingsport Subdivision
The Kingsport Subdivision is a 133.2-mile railroad line owned and operated by CSX Transportation in the U.S. states of Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee...
(Erwin to Elkhorn City).
History
In 1886, Ex-UnionUnion Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
General John T. Wilder
John T. Wilder
John Thomas Wilder was an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. As an industrialist, he was instrumental in developing the natural resources of the State of Tennessee.-Early life and career:...
received a charter for Charleston, Cincinnati and Chicago Railroad, commonly referred to as the "3-C" Railroad. This was the beginning of the modern Clinchfield. The promoters of this ambitious project proposed a 625-mile line from Ironton
Ironton, Ohio
Ironton is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Lawrence County. The municipality is located in southern Ohio along the Ohio River. The population was 11,211 at the 2000 census. Ironton is a part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of the...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, to Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, with an extension down the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
to Cincinnati. It would serve the rich agricultural lands of the Piedmont, the summer resorts of the North Carolina mountains, the rich timber and mineral deposits and coal fields of Virginia and Kentucky, with terminals on both the Ohio River and the Atlantic seacoast. The estimated cost was $21 million. Johnson City, Tennessee
Johnson City, Tennessee
Johnson City is a city in Carter, Sullivan, and Washington counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee, with most of the city being in Washington County...
was established as the headquarters for the 3-C railroad and that city became a railway boom town.
Construction progressed from Johnson City to both the north and south. Tracks reached Erwin, Tennessee
Erwin, Tennessee
Erwin is a town in and the county seat of Unicoi County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 5,610 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Johnson City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the Johnson City–Kingsport–Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical Area...
in 1890. The roadway grading was 90% complete from Johnson City to Dante, Virginia, in 1893, when the 3-C began to experience financial problems and then failed in the national depression of that year. In July 1893, the assets of the 3-C railroad were sold at a foreclosure
Foreclosure
Foreclosure is the legal process by which a mortgage lender , or other lien holder, obtains a termination of a mortgage borrower 's equitable right of redemption, either by court order or by operation of law...
for $550,000. The new owners renamed it the "Ohio River and Charleston Railroad." The construction continued in a halfhearted manner and in 1897 owners began to sell off the railroad in segments.
At this time, an enterprising entrepreneur, George Lafayette Carter
George Lafayette Carter
-Biography:George L. Carter was born near Hillsville, Virginia on January 10, 1857. He owned land in Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. For instance, he owned the land on which East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee was later built, and land in Bristol, Tennessee....
, was involved in developing the coal lands of southwestern Virginia. He needed a railroad to transport his coal to a south Atlantic seaport. In 1902, he purchased the Ohio River and Charleston Railroad, renamed it the Clinchfield Railroad, and organized a gigantic construction program to get it completed. Between 1905 and 1909 the road was completed from Dante, Virginia, to Spartanburg, South Carolina
Spartanburg, South Carolina
thgSpartanburg is the largest city in and the county seat of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. It is the second-largest city of the three primary cities in the Upstate region of South Carolina, and is located northwest of Columbia, west of Charlotte, and about northeast of...
. Carter was successful in getting adequate financing for the construction and built the railroad to construction standards far beyond the norms of the times. Consequently, Clinchfield has not had to reduce grades, lighten curves, straighten bridges, and enlarge tunnels to handle heavier and larger equipment as other railroads have had to do. Carter originally established the Clinchfield headquarters in Johnson City, Tennessee but later moved the headquarters to Erwin, Tennessee when he could not get required land for the main shops and classification yard
Classification yard
A classification yard or marshalling yard is a railroad yard found at some freight train stations, used to separate railroad cars on to one of several tracks. First the cars are taken to a track, sometimes called a lead or a drill...
s. Erwin remained Clinchfield's headquarters for the remainder of Clinchfield's existence.
A station was built in 1910 near Little Switzerland, North Carolina
Little Switzerland, North Carolina
Little Switzerland is an unincorporated community in McDowell and Mitchell counties of North Carolina, United States. It is located along NC 226A off the Blue Ridge Parkway, directly north of Marion, North Carolina and south of Spruce Pine....
for visitors to the resort. The resort built Etchoe Pass Road, a 4-mile long toll road
Toll road
A toll road is a privately or publicly built road for which a driver pays a toll for use. Structures for which tolls are charged include toll bridges and toll tunnels. Non-toll roads are financed using other sources of revenue, most typically fuel tax or general tax funds...
, connecting to it. The tolls were lifted and the road is now North Carolina Highway 226A. The toll booths are still visible. The station's original name was Mount Mitchell Station but it was subsequently changed to Little Switzerland.
The Clinchfield lost its identity in the mid-1970s when it came under the Family Lines System banner, which was a marketing arrangement of allying roads Seaboard Coast Line, L&N, and several smaller railroads. Perhaps what the Clinchfield is best remembered for, aside from its primary traffic source of coal, is its famous Santa Claus Special. The train debuted in 1943 and ran the length of the Clinchfield's main line between Elkhorn City and Spartanburg handing out gifts to kids living along the route. Today, it is still operated by CSX Transportation in conjunction with the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce and is now known as the Santa Train.
Freight Schedules
The majority of their traffic was a surprising number of unit coal trains. However, the Clinchfield did operate a small number of regularly scheduled Freight Trains. In addition, Clinchfield had an interesting numerology of their Freight Trains: Northbound Trains ran using Odd numbers whereas the Southbound Trains ran using even numbers. This is opposed to most railroads using Even numbers for Northbound trains and Odd numbers for Southbound trains. This was done so that their trains would mesh in with connecting trains from the SCL (Seaboard Coast Line) on the south end at Spartanburg and the C&O (Chesapeake & Ohio) on the north end at Elkhorn City. Listed below is a representative sample of the Freight Trains that ran between Spartanburg SC and Erwin TN:| Northbound Trains & Schedule | Type | Class | Freq | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93—Spartanburg-09:30am, Bostic-10:25am, Erwin-02:30pm | Time Freight | 2nd Class | Daily | |
| 97—Spartanburg-02:20pm, Bostic-03:05pm, Erwin-06:50pm | Time Freight | 2nd Class | Daily | Known as "Florida Perishable" |
| 95—Spartanburg-10:00pm, Bostic-11:15pm, Erwin-04:00am | Time Freight | 2nd Class | Daily | |
| 19—Marion-01:00pm, Spruce Pine-03:00pm. Erwin-5:30pm | Local Freight | 4th Class | Ex Sun. | |
| 7—Spartanburg-10:30am, Bostic Yard-12:30pm | Shifter | 4th Class | Ex Sun. |
| Southbound Trains & Schedules | Type | Class | Freq | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6—Bostic Yard-02:00pm, Spartanburg-05:00pm | Shifter | 4th Class | Ex Sun. | |
| 18—Erwin-7:15am, Marion-12:15pm | Local Freight | 4th Class | Ex Sun. | |
| 22—Erwin 11:00am, Bostic-04:30pm, Spartanburg-06:30pm | Local Freight | 4th Class | Daily | Regularly scheduled Coal Train! |
| 26—Erwin-11:00pm, Bostic-04:30am, Spartanburg-06:30am | Through Freight | 4th Class | Daily | |
| 92—Erwin-08:30am, Bostic-12:15pm, Spartanburg-01:15pm | Time Freight | 2nd Class | Daily | |
| 94—Erwin-08:00pm, Bostic-10:20pm, Spartanburg-11:50pm | Time Freight | 2nd Class | Daily |