Breaks of the Russell Fork River

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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.

Breaks of the Russell Fork River – Grand Canyon of the South

Location, Formation, and Geography

The Breaks of the Russell Fork River is a monumental five-mile gorge carved through Pine Mountain on the border of Virginia and Kentucky. Known as the “Grand Canyon of the South,” it is the deepest gorge east of the Mississippi River, reaching depths of up to 1,600 feet. The Russell Fork is a tributary of the Big Sandy River and is responsible for this dramatic landscape, which includes towering sandstone cliffs and large boulders at the river’s bottom. The area’s rough topography is characterized by a significant drop in elevation along the river, with a staggering gradient of 180 feet per mile in the Breaks Canyon. This creates a rugged and wild environment, home to some of the most challenging whitewater rapids in the eastern United States.

The geologic story of the Breaks is a powerful tale of a river’s determination. In the distant past, the Russell Fork encountered Pine Mountain, a formidable barrier created millions of years ago when continents collided to form the Appalachian Mountains. The river relentlessly carved its way through a fault line in the mountain, creating the massive, horseshoe-shaped canyon over hundreds of millions of years. The sheer vertical, thousand-foot sandstone cliffs that define the Breaks today are a testament to this ongoing process of erosion. The geology of the area is a fascinating window into the forces that shaped the Appalachian landscape.

Railroad Construction Through the Breaks

The rugged geography of the Breaks posed a fierce challenge to railroad builders in the early 20th century. In the “Battle of the Breaks,” two powerful railroad companies, the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) and the Clinchfield, vied for the right-of-way through the narrow gorge. The C&O sought to expand its coalfield reach, while the Clinchfield, under the leadership of George L. Carter, fought to secure its own access. The confrontation became an all-out race, as the extremely tight passage through the Breaks meant only one railroad could occupy the space. The construction of the Clinchfield was a Herculean effort, with crews blasting through the rock to complete the last major Class I railroad built east of the Mississippi.

Breaks Interstate Park

Today, the geological marvel is preserved as Breaks Interstate Park, a unique interstate park jointly operated by Virginia and Kentucky. The 4,500-acre park offers visitors numerous opportunities to experience the grandeur of the Breaks through hiking, camping, and scenic overlooks. It serves as a vital economic asset for the region by drawing tourists who enjoy outdoor recreation and learn about the area’s rich history. For whitewater enthusiasts, the park is a prime destination for kayaking, particularly during the controlled water releases from the Flanagan Dam.

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.

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