Diesel Locomotives of the Clinchfield Railroad

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Clinchfield Railroad
CSX Blue RIdge Subdivision

The CSX Blue Ridge Subdivision, the old Clinchfield line south of Erwin is now reopen after the extensive damage from Hurricane Helene. The first revenue freight train ran on September 21st, and two coal trains followed on September 25th. Ribbon cutting photo by Mark Loewe. . Use this link to see Designs in Orbit’s exceptional video updates with drone footage. Also, Train Chaser Elliot provides wonderful coverage.  Click here to read about the monumental CSX rebuilding efforts on Clinchfield.org. In the weeks ahead we will add much more content chronicling the events of the past year.

Clinchfield Railroad’s Diesel Locomotives

Clinchfield Transition from Steam to Diesel

The Clinchfield began to dieselize its fleet in 1948. The initial F3 A-B-A diesel units were assigned to the manifest freights. The last engines on the steam roster were the Challengers which were used to push and pull the coal trains. By 1954, steam was no more.

As more diesels were added, the tonnage and length of the trains grew, requiring the horsepower from a fourth unit, A-B-B-A. GP 7/9s were also used in the mainline manifest and coal trains. The addition of CTC signaling and longer passing sidings allowed the Clinchfield to be even more efficient by running longer trains.

EMD Models on the Clinchfield Roster

Clinchfield Railroad Locomotive

Throughout the years, Clinchfield was a loyal customer of the Electro-Motive Division (EMD) of General Motors, which simplified their maintenance efforts. For a short time in the 70s, they did own seven GE U36Cs, but eventually traded them for SD45s.

Across the decades, Clinchfield owned and operated:

  • 6 F3As (1500 HP, eventually updated to F7 standards)
  • 4 F3Bs
  • 6 SW7s (1200 HP)
  • 18 GP7s (1500 HP)
  • 18 F7As (1500 HP)
  • 16 F7Bs
  • 1 FP7A
  • 2 GP9s (1750 HP)
  • 25 SD40s (3000 HP)
  • 10 GP38s (2000 HP)
  • 4 NW2s (1000 HP)
  • 1 NW3 (1000 HP)
  • 7 U36Cs (3600 HP, traded)
  • 7 SD45s (3600 HP)
  • 18 SD45-2s
  • 8 GP38-2s
  • 11 SD40-2s

In total during its existence, the Clinchfield owned and operated 162 diesel locomotives:

  • 45 Fs (67,000 total horsepower)
  • 38 Geeps (66,000 total horsepower)
  • 61 SDs (198,000 total horsepower)

Photo courtesy of Dan Robie wvncrails.org

Clinchfield Railroad Locomotive

Clinchfield’s SD45s by Ron Flanary

“Clinchfield’s SD45-2s were impressive machines for their era. Built between 1972 and 1974 as an improved version of the earlier SD45, the 3600 horsepower units were purchased by only four railroads. The Santa Fe got the most (90), with the EL and SCL both acquiring a few, like the CRR, which added 18 to its motive power roster. In March 1975, the 3608 was leading three other CRR SDs on an empty unit train tied down in the siding at Big Stone Gap, Va. A derailment several miles away in Dryden had the railroad at a standstill that day. After other owners and rebuilds, amazingly this unit is still around.”

Photo and narrative by Ron Flanary

Clinchfield Railroad Locomotive

Clinchfield Diesel Roster

ModelNumberBuiltNotes
F3A800-8051948Manifest Freights (eventually rebuilt to F7 standards)
F3B850-8531948Manifest Freights (eventually rebuilt to F7 standards)
SW7350-3551950Yard Switchers – Erwin, Johnson City, and Kingsport
GP7900-9111950Road Switchers and Mine Runs
F7A806-8201951/1952Coal Trains and other mainline service
F7B854-8631951/1952Coal Trains and other mainline service
FP72001952With boiler for passenger service, used for freight
GP7912-9161955Road Switchers
F9B864-8681955Mainline Service
GP9917-9181956Maintenance Spares
66 Total Diesel Units by 1960
F7A821-8231965 (used)Mainline Service
F7B8691965 (used)Mainline Service
GP79191965 (used)Mainline Service
SD403000-30071966Coal Trains
GP382000-20091967Multi-purpose
SD403008-30141968/1969
F7B2501969Steam generator for excursion service
89 Total Diesel Units by 1970 (8 traded or wrecked)
NW2356-3601970 (used)Switcher
NW33611970 (used)Switcher
SD403015-30241971
U36C3600-36061971First GE units
SD45-23607-36161972
SD45-23617-36241974
SD453625-3631U36C unit trade with SCL, CRR was back to being all EMD
GP38-26000-60061978-1978Family Lines Paint
SD40-28034-80391979Family Lines Paint
GP38-260451979Family Lines Paint
SD40-28127-81291980Family Lines Paint
SD40-28131-81321981Family Lines Paint

For More Information

Clinchfield.org Sources and Resources

The following are excellent resources for those of you wanting to explore and learn more about the Clinchfield Railroad. These sources of information also serve as reference and historical materials for Clinchfield.org. Much of the content on the website is verified across multiple sources.

Clinchfield Railroad

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