CSX Clinchfield Heritage Unit
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- Leaders: George L. Carter | M.J. Caples | John B. Dennis
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- Destinations | Elkhorn City | Breaks | Dante | Speers Ferry | Kingsport | Johnson City | Erwin | Nolichucky Gorge | Spartanburg | and more
- Clinchfield Model Railroads
- Resources: Books | Scholars | Museums
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- Related Websites: Appalachian-Railroads.org | Southern-Railroads.org
CSX Clinchfield Heritage Unit #1902
#1902 became the 20th CSX heritage unit honoring the many legacy railroads that make up today’s CSX. The Clinchfield unit debuted in November 2024, just in time to lead the Santa Train later that month. The locomotive is a General Electric ES44AC rated at 4.400hp.
Click here for more information on the CSX Heritage Unit series.
Below are several photos of the unit as it traveled across Tennessee and Virginia on its premiere run.
The following is a portion of the CSX press release announcing the #1902 and its inaugural November weekend.
CSX Press Release
November 4, 2024 – CSX recently unveiled its 20th heritage locomotive, the Clinchfield #1902, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing homage to the railroads that have shaped its legacy. This new addition to the CSX heritage series will lead the iconic Santa Train on November 23, 2024, a cherished tradition that brings joy to communities across the Appalachian region.
The Clinchfield locomotive has been meticulously designed to pay tribute to the original Clinchfield Railroad, which played an important role in the development of rail transport in the southeastern United States. The locomotive’s design features the distinctive colors and markings that reflect the historical aesthetics of the Clinchfield Railroad, evoking nostalgia and honoring the engineers and workers who laid its tracks.
This year’s Santa Train, now in its 82nd year, embarks on a journey from Shelby, Kentucky, to Kingsport, Tennessee, spreading holiday cheer across the region. The special holiday train is a beacon of community spirit, distributing over 15 tons of gifts and toys to eager children awaiting its arrival at each stop. The Santa Train is a testament to the enduring connection between the railroad and the communities it serves and a symbol of the generosity and goodwill that defines the holiday season.
The inaugural run of the Clinchfield locomotive as the lead engine for the Santa Train has generated a wave of excitement among rail enthusiasts and local residents alike. This event underscores the importance of preserving railroad history while simultaneously creating new memories for future generations.
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.
- Association: Carolina Clinchfield Chapter National Railway Historical Society
- Association: Louisville & Nashville Railroad Historical Society
- Association: George L. Carter Railroad Historical Society
- Association: Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society
- Personal maps, timetables, track charts, and memorabilia
- Archives of Appalachia – ETSU, Johnson City TN
- Book – Drury: ‘The Historical Guide to North American Railroads’
- Book – Goforth: ‘Building the Clinchfield’ and ‘When Steam Ran the Clinchfield’
- Book – Graybeal: ‘The Railroads of Johnson City’
- Book – Helm: ‘The Clinchfield Railroad in the Coal Fields’
- Book – Irwin & Stahl: ‘The Last Empire Builder: The Life of George L. Carter’
- Book – King: ‘Clinchfield Country’
- Book – Marsh: ‘Clinchfield in Color’
- Book – Poole: ‘A History of Railroading in Western North Carolina’
- Book – Poteat & Taylor: ‘The CSX Clinchfield Route in the 21st Century’
- Book – Stevens & Peoples: ‘The Clinchfield No. 1 – Tennessee’s Legendary Steam Engine’
- Book – Way: ‘The Clinchfield Railroad, the Story of a Trade Route Across the Blue Ridge Mountains’
- Magazines – ‘Trains‘ , ‘Classic Trains‘
- Newspaper Articles – Newspapers.com
- Online Article – Scientific American: ‘The Costliest Railroad in America‘
- Online Article – Classic Trains: ‘Remembering the Clinchfield Railroad‘
- Online Article – Railway Age: ‘This Coal Road Is Also A Speedy Bridge Line,’ Sept 1, 1952 edition
- Online Article – ‘Railway Signaling and Communications‘
- Online Article – Flanary: ‘The Quick Service Route, The Clinchfield Railroad‘
- Online Article – Flanary: ‘Men Against Mountains, Running Trains on the Clinchfield‘ October 2001
- Online Video – Ken Marsh on Kingsport area railroads and region’s history Video #1
- Online Video – Ken Marsh on railroads and region’s history Video #2:
- Website – Carolana.com – North Carolina Railroads, South Carolina Railroads
- Website – Johnson’s Depot hosted by StateOfFranklin.net
- Website – RailFanGuides.us for Johnson City and for Erwin
- Website – The Radio Reference Wiki
- Website – SteamLocomotive.com
- Website – VirginiaPlaces.org – Railroad History of Virginia
- Website – Multimodalways.org
Contact Us at Clinchfield.org
Would enjoy hearing from you if you have questions, suggestions, edits, or content that you are willing to share. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have similar interests in the Clinchfield or Model Railroads.
3Cs Websites
Appalachian-Railroads.org | Clinchfield.org | Southern-Railroads.org
