Author: Bob Lawrence

When Steam Ran The Clinchfield

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Interesting book published in 1993, second edition, by Gem Publishers in Erwin TN. It covers all of the steam locos of the Clinchfield, with pictures of many of them, plus seven and a half pages of photos of wrecks. There is also a section on Floyd Bruner, a noted photographer of the line. This particular book is signed by James Goforth.
There is also a 1998 edition of this same book, with a colorized and redesigned cover, published by Overmountain Press of Johnson City TN.

Operation Lifesaver

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In 2014, CSX 900020 was in and around Seneca IL. In 2016, it showed up here in Kingsport. It’s been in Kingsport yard and out by Eastman since then, but it’s in pretty bad shape now. Operation Live Saver was up and running in the early 2000s for this CSX area (that’s where I got this pin). Operation Red Block was something entirely different.

Bluefield Rail Yard

Bob Lawrence1 Comment
Nestled in the southwest corner of West Virginia is Bluefield, gateway to the Pocahontas coalfield. This yard was a huge part of Norfolk & Western’s activities in this area. It was, as of 2010, when this was taken, one of the busiest yards in the system. Coordinates are 37.2723, -81.2163. Bluefield’s commercial area is located just a step or two from this yard.

Yuma Yard – Smith

Bob Lawrence2 Comments

This is Norfolk Southern’s Yuma yard looking east (top photo) with the Smith signal unit to the left. Bottom photo is looking west. This yard, 3 miles west of Frisco yard, is mostly used for storage now. It is .86 mile long with seven tracks. Thanks to the CSX Transportation Historical Society website for information on this yard.

Kingsport Yard 2011

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Kingsport TN train yard 2011
This was taken in June, 2011, showing the freight building and loading dock still fairly intact (for modern times). I believe the Kingsport Convention and Visitors Bureau were in the freight building at the time. To the left, ‘way down the tracks, are the silos that once held ingredients for Penn-Dixie’s cement.
The picture was taken looking west from Cherokee Street.

Up in West Virginia

Bob Lawrence1 Comment
Railroad trestle, double track, in West Virginia

This gives an idea of how massively these railroad companies built when they needed to. I took this under a double track trestle over the Bluestone River- and an out-of-service single rail line- in West Virginia at 37.32335N,81.32700W. Just behind me is Pocahontas Avenue north of Pocahontas VA. The trestle above is about 665’ in length.

Twixt Appalachia and Big Stone

Bob Lawrence4 Comments

I’ve posted this before. It’s an out-of-service trestle between Appalachia VA and Big Stone Gap and is part of a pleasant walking trail. You can access the trail in Appalachia, just off the highway and walk along the old L&N tracks past Bee Rock Tunnel and on along the trail. Bee Rock Tunnel is the third shortest tunnel in the United States. Second is the tunnel I mentioned in Gallatin TN. Shortest is Backbone Ridge at 20′, plus or minus, in Shady Valley TN. After Bee Rock Tunnel is Callahan’s Nose Tunnel, then this trestle and on to Big Stone Gap. This should be a fine walk in fall.

#3 Towers

Bob Lawrence6 Comments

Towers Tunnel is at 37.257, -82.327.  The date on the facing is 1926, but that only notes when the tunnel was reinforced and faced with concrete.  The actual tunnel is older than that by maybe 10 years or so.  This tunnel is 921’in length and cuts through a ridge between two geological features in the park “The Chimney” and “The Towers”.  You can’t see the end because it curves to the right.

Conrail

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conrail

From 1986, this 2″ pinback recognizes a campaign to keep Conrail alive, after a takeover attempt by Norfolk-Western.  In 1987, Conrail was released by the government to become a private enterprise.  As of the late 1990’s, both CSX and Norfolk-Southern share ownership of Conrail.

Reader Railroad

Bob Lawrence5 Comments

I found two post cards of the Reader Railroad recently.  Here’s a link: Reader Railroad

It’s really annoying.  I thought I had a handle on the dating of these cards, but, when I told a colleague about it, I realized that I had been totally wrong.  The cards were printed by Koppel Kolor (or Color) Cards in Hawthorne, New Jersey.  The company’s main building appears to have burned down in the mid 80s.

Update on the dating for these cards: mid-1960s.  See comment below courtesy of thedigitalphilatelist

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Copper Creek Viaduct

Bob Lawrence4 Comments

copperfront

copperback

The lower bridge was built in the late 1890s by the Virginia & Southwest Virginia rail road (V&SW).  That line was absorbed into the Southern Rail Road in 1916, just a year after this card was mailed.

The upper one, the Copper Creek Viaduct (a word the Marx Brothers had fun with in The Cocoanuts) was built by the C.C. & O in 1908.  The stated height now is 185′ , measuring from the river below.

You barely read the writing down the length of the viaduct, but I believe it says “crossed this just today” or something to that effect.

The post card itself appears to have been printed in Germany before WWI.

“The Clinchfield Route”

Bob Lawrence4 Comments

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nolichback

This is looking south at approx. 36.0720N, 82.3987W.

The card was printed by Curt Teich in Chicago.  It’s one of the “C” series of post cards issued between 1905 and 1926.  The Curt Teich records for this period are scanty and this number isn’t listed anywhere that I can find.  Nicely printed, though, and hand colored at the factory before the separations were shot for the print run.

ET&WNC in the Gorge

Bob Lawrence4 Comments

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Following the track of the old ET & WNC Rail Road through Doe River Gorge is a fine hike, except in winter.  If there’s been some snow or freezing rain, getting across the derelict bridges can be dangerous.

This card was published by the American News Company of New York, but it was printed in Germany before the start of WWI.

I can’t read the place name on the postmark, and I’ve tried.  All I can see if the final “…ONE”.

I hope Dolly got home okay, though.