Standing inside Byrd tunnel and looking to Lower Bridal and, just beyond, the entrance to Speedy tunnel. Three tunnels on one tangent.
#47 The Loops: Speedy
Standing inside Byrd tunnel and looking to Lower Bridal and, just beyond, the entrance to Speedy tunnel. Three tunnels on one tangent.
Blogging the Railroad Tunnels 
Both sides of my family (Byrd and Smith) are from the Johnson City TN area. One of my cousins told me my great-grandfather (Grover Byrd) worked on this railroad track construction. They also said they thought a tunnel outside Erwin was named after him. Evidently this is correct, unless some one else has already claimed that honor.
Thanks for the information.
Mike Byrd
It’s hard to track down the naming system for the tunnels on the Clinchfield. Your family’s claim is undisputed, as far as I know.