Barrett Yard – Johnson City TN

Home » Yards of the Clinchfield Railroad » Barrett Yard – Johnson City TN

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.

Barrett Yard in Johnson City TN

Researched and chronicled by Scott Jessee and Sandhi Kozsuch

Until the opening of the Johnson City High Line in 1970, Barrett was an important yard for the Clinchfield Railroad. Once the mainline bypassed the city and a new yard was constructed in south Johnson City, most of Barrett was removed to make way for the West State of Franklin Road.

Barrett Yard - Johnson City TN - Clinchfield Railroad

Originally, Barrett Yard ran from West Walnut Street at milepost 119, to milepost 120 where a water tank was located nearby today’s present Tennessee Avenue. The Yard also included a turntable, originally owned by the Charleston Cincinnati & Chicago Railroad. In the early 1900s it was moved a few miles from the Carnegie section of Johnson City to Barrett Yard. The turntable appears to have been nearby the intersection of today’s Gilbreath Drive and West State of Franklin Road.

According to Jim Goforth’s 1946 Dispatcher’s Track Diagram, Barrett Yard included a primary passing siding, four or so yard tracks, and several industry spurs.

Sometime after 1946, Barrett Yard was extended westward to reach milepost 118.5, allowing for a 1.5 mile passing siding and the turntable was removed.

Barrett Yard Map

Utilizing two USGS topo maps from around 1940, you will be able to see the location of the following:

  • 1 The original Barrett Yard with the turntable
  • 2 The extension to Barrett Yard
  • 3 The Southern Railway’s Embreeville Branch and its wye
  • 4 The Southern Railway spur used to provide coal to the Mountain Home VA Center
  • 5 Clinchfield’s initial construction of a fill used on the Johnson City Highline that sat dormant from 1907 to 1969. Construction remnants could be seen from Greenwood Drive eastward to Southwest Avenue.
Barrett Yard - Clinchfield Railroad - Johnson City TN

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

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.

Go back

Your message has been sent

3Cs Websites

Appalachian-Railroads.org | Clinchfield.org | Southern-Railroads.org