I happened to be camping at Warrior's Path State Park in Kingsport, TN a few days ago. To my delight it is right beside a mainline track. From looking at maps I think this is CSX track and part of the Clinchfield. The first train I saw on the line came thru at night with a CN engine on the front of a unit tank train and a second CN engine on the rear. There were probably 5 or 6 trains total that I heard on the line in a roughly 12 hour period. I was only able to see the one, the rest came thru mostly over night. Is this line the Clinchfiled? I thought that was rarely used anymore. I would never have guessed there would be a CN unit tank train on it. Does anyone have any additional information? Thanks,
You are somewhere around MP 100 - MP 101 on the CSX (ex-Clinchfield) Kingsport Sub. ..... NS comes into Kingsport from the W-SW north of where you were at. (Old Holston Army Ammo Plant lead.)....no co-owners or trackage rights shown in the federal record.
Federal record shows 4 trains / day (2 day / 2 night w/ one of those switching)
Well that's cool. I always found the Clinchfiled a facinating railroad. I'm really curious why I heard so many trains on that line. I thought it was out of service or "mouthballed" or whatever. I certainly wouldn't have expected 5 or so trains in less than 24 hours. Particularly not a CN tank train.
Has the Clinchfield been put back to use again with the uptick in coal traffic?
wirenutWell that's cool. I always found the Clinchfiled a facinating railroad. I'm really curious why I heard so many trains on that line. I thought it was out of service or "mouthballed" or whatever. I certainly wouldn't have expected 5 or so trains in less than 24 hours. Particularly not a CN tank train. Has the Clinchfield been put back to use again with the uptick in coal traffic?
I have no insights about what is happening on CSX these days. That being said, they have been known to make mistakes about 'closing' a line to through movments. When I was still working recall them wanting to close the 'Bow Line' from Montgomery to Waycross to all but local traffic. Close it they did. Four or five months later a OCS was being operated from Birmingham via Manchester to Waycross and Jacksonville, which should have been about a 14 hour trip - because of congestion the trip took over 26 hours just to get to Waycross. That trip was Friday into Saturday. Monday two through trains each way were put back on the Bow Line.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Both CSX and NS bring coal to Kingsport for the Eastman Chemical Plant.
My wife is from Kingsport, and her dad worked as a research chemist at Eastman.
Still in training.
I've always had a soft spot for the Clinchfield. I always thought of it as being very similar to the Virginian. Back in the 80s, I owned 3 shares (out of 250,000) in it. I bought at 64 1/8 and CSX bought me out at 140-something. I still kick myself that I never made it to Erwin until it was CSX. My brother lived in Pensacola back then and Erwin was always just a little far off of I75 and I was always in just too much of a rush.
BackshopI've always had a soft spot for the Clinchfield. I always thought of it as being very similar to the Virginian. Back in the 80s, I owned 3 shares (out of 250,000) in it. I bought at 64 1/8 and CSX bought me out at 140-something. I still kick myself that I never made it to Erwin until it was CSX. My brother lived in Pensacola back then and Erwin was always just a little far off of I75 and I was always in just too much of a rush.
Bought you out or offered to exchange you shares of Clinchfield into shares of CSX at some ratio between the two.
Back in the 1970's Chessie System had a Employee Stock Purchase plan that let employees buy an amount of stock they desired on payroll deduction. During the 70's they did this twice - between the two opportunities I accumulated 200 shares. When CSX was formed, Chessie System shares were converted 1:1 with CSX sharea. Between the creation of CSX in 1980 and 1989 the stock went through a 3 for 1 split. Going through my divorce I was able to protect the stock and then cashed in the 600 to buy my house - down payment and closing costs.
Through the 1990's CSX had another Employee Stock Purchase plan which I also participated in. I forget the amount that I bought in with. During the interim CSX has split the stock 2 for 1 and then 3 for one. Coupled with Dividen Reinvestment I now own somewhere North of 2000 shares. This is separate from the CSX shares that are in my 401k.
Bought me out. I didn't have enough shares to matter.
BackshopI still kick myself that I never made it to Erwin until it was CSX.
We used to pass through Erwin when traveling from Georgia to see the in-laws. During the Clinchfield era, there were always F-units there. The whole scene was rich with atmosphere. I definitely have a soft spot for the Clinchfield.
I don't know what the frequency or volumes are or what they're moving, but they sure are keeping the former Clinchfield in good condition to have been downgraded/mothballed.Track work in Rutherford County, NC late last year. Scanning Google aerials and Street View, it looks like they went from at least Spartanburg to Marion, if not further.
Check out Southern railfan on you tube he is from Marion NC CSX runs a few trains NS not so much.
Russell
One of the best places to railfan both the Clinchfield/CSX and the 3Cs is Warriors' Path State Park on the south side of Kingsport TN. Through the park, the active rail line and the abandoned grade are parallel, running a short distance apart. For more information, click here for a Warriors' Path railfan guide. https://appalachian-railroads.org/homepage/charleston-cincinnati-and-chicago-railroad/3cs-railfan-guide/warriors-path-state-park/
Wife and I went to Charleston SC on vacation last fall and I charted an alternative routing via Big Stone Gap, Va. where we spent the night. Great area.
South of BSG is Cooper Creek Viaduct which is actually two viaducts over the creek. NS is the bottom viaduct and about 100 ft above is CSX, ex Clinchfield.
Would have loved to have seen a train but i wasnt in charge! Also Natural Tunnel Park is nearby. Great area.
Ed
http://www.virginiaplaces.org/rail/cumberlandgaprail.html
{And this is a library of videos in regards to the area being discussed; Va. Tn. Ky. Big stne Gap area.}
@https://.t=ffab&q=Railroad+switch+backs+near+Cumberland+Gap%3F&atb=v422-1&iax=videos&ia=videos
Not to mention the Hagans Tunnel, and the Cumberland Gap area switchbacks.
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