Opening of the Johnson City Clinchfield High Line

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Clinchfield Railroad

First Year of the Clinchfield High Line

Researched and Chronicled by Scott Jessee and Sandhi Kozsuch

Once it was completed in October of 1970, the Clinchfield’s Johnson City High Line took over three months to reach full speed and operation. Initially, southbound trains used the High Line, and northbound trains used the old line through the middle of the city. The High Line was constructed to alleviate the pusher grades and traffic-congested crossings through Johnson City, so the southbound coal drags were the first to benefit. By July 1971, the old downtown mainline was officially out of service.

Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society: Clinchfield Railroad Bulletin Archives

The Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society archives a portion of the Clinchfield Railroad Bulletins that were issued to all Clinchfield operational personnel to assure uniformity, compliance, and safety. Using these bulletins, Scott Jessee recreated the months before and after the opening of the High Line, as the new route came up to full speed, and as the old main line was slowly decommissioned. By following Scott’s overview of the bulletins, you can relive those 12 months just as the CRR’s crews did.

Preparations to Open the High Line: July – Oct 16th, 1970

  • July 14 Bulletin #14276 South Signal 900’ north of MP 114 & North Signal 600 Feet south of MP 114 will both be relocated to 1500 feet north of MP 115
  • Sept 12 Bulletin #14292 Temp Siding MP 130.1 east side of main, south switch, track is 400 feet
  • Sept 25 Bulletin #14295 Temporary Siding at 130.1 has been removed from service (used for work on HIGH LINE)
  • Sept 25 Bulletin #14296 1000AM Sat. Sept 25 main track MP 129.5 to MP 130.4 will be shifted eastward to new HIGH LINE GRADE
  • Oct 10 Bulletin #14301 Uneven footing near north switch Barrett due to HIGH LINE Track changes
Clinchfield Railroad High Line Bulletin

High Line Opens Oct 16th, 1970

  • Oct 13 Bulletin #14302 Effective Fri. Oct 16 new main line 118.1 to 129.4 HIGH LINE is placed into service     Operation is CTC both directions from North Hannum and southward signal 118.1. CTC on the Old Main is permanently discontinued, trains will operate using train order. Trains can operate on either route, connection between the mains at 129.4 North Unicoi. Northward trains via Old Main must have a signal at North Hannum and train order across the old route and at North Unicoi via electric lock switch to the Old Main. Normal position at North Unicoi is for the HIGH LINE. Rule 93 in effect on Old Main from MP 118.1 to MP 123 (Yard Limits)
  • Oct 14 Bulletin #14303 Unless otherwise directed by CD, south trains operate HIGH LINE and north trains via Old Main. Normal position of dual controlled switch 118.2 is for the HIGH LINE. Southward Signal 118.1 will display signal as in Rule 285 for HIGH LINE, Rule 290 for Barrett Yard.
  • Oct 14 Bulletin #14304 Traffic for Johnson City will be handled as normal at Barrett Yard. Unless otherwise instructed, south trains using HIGH LINE that work JC will stop back a sufficient distance north of the south signal MP 118.1 to pick-up and then proceed via HIGH LINE.
  • Oct 14 #14305 No intermediate signals on the HIGH LINE between North Hannum & North Barrett     Until intermediates are installed, North Barrett is the approach signal to North Hannum and the     North Signal at North Hannum is the approach signal to North Barrett.
  • Oct 14 Bulletin #14306 Northward trains leaving the HIGH LINE main track at North Unicoi will report in the clear to dispatcher.
  • Oct 15 Bulletin #14307 Maximum Speed on the HIGH LINE is 20 MPH

Operation of High Line Continues to Evolve, Nov thru Dec

  • Nov 3 Bulletin #14317 Dual control switch north end Barrett is OOS and must be hand operated.  North switch to Barrett Siding has been moved southward 500 feet and must be hand operated.       Normal position for both of the above switches is to be lined for movement vis the old main line
  • Nov 23 Bulletin #14326 Bulletin No. 14313 is cancelled.  Maximum sped on the HIGH LINE main is 40 MPH except between 125.5 and 126.25 the speed is 25 MPH
  • Dec 4 Bulletin #14328 Effective 700am Monday Dec 7 the old main track between switches to Barrett Passing Siding will be taken out of service and track removed.  Trains using the old main line between North Unicoi and North Barrett must proceed through Barrett Siding.

1971 – High Line Changes Completed

  • Jan 26 Bulletin #14348 Effective Jan 28 a passing siding on east side of HIGH LINE Main from MP 122.9 to MP 119.5 is established  at 17233 feet and is entered on each end with a hand throw switch. Pending installation of dual control switches/signals trains can be met as provided in Notice 14349
  • Jan 26 Bulletin #14349 Trains using JC Siding will report to the dispatcher when in the clear of the main line and on the siding and switch is restored to the main.  Trains cannot re-enter the main without dispatcher permission.
  • Jan 26 Bulletin #14347 Mileage changes for pay:  Erwin and JC 14 miles /// Erwin & Kingsport 41 miles Erwin & Miller Yard 81 miles ///  Erwin & Dante 98 miles /// Erwin & Elkhorn 134 miles     Mileage between Erwin and any other point north of MP 118 is to be reduced by two miles. Mile Post Markers from 118 and Erwin have been relocated.
  • Jan 26 Bulletin #14346 Effective Jan 28 the old main line between North Unicoi and South Yard Limit Sign at Old Main MP 122.9 will no longer be used by main line trains.  Portions of notices 14302 & 14303 are cancelled and all main line trains will operate via the HIGH LINE.
Clinchfield Railroad High Line Bulletin

Old Mainline Retirement Begins, Feb thru July

  • Feb 26 Bulletin #14361 Effective March 2 Bulletin Notices 14302,14305,14349 are cancelled. North Barrett controlled signals MP 118.1 are removed from service and dual controlled switch to the     entrance of the old main line is replaced with a electric lock switch. Operation of trains south Boone to North Hannum via HIGH LINE governed by CTC Rules. Dual controlled switches/signals are in service at each end of Johnson City Intermediate signals in service at MP 117, 124.7 and 126.8.
  • Feb 26 Bulletin #14362 Effective March 2 Yard Limit Sign at main track Barrett will be replaced with Switching Limit sign and switching limit rules will apply from MP 122.9 to the new sign at Barrett     Rules 93 to 93 E are in effect on old main line.  JC Yard engines may not enter or foul main track at    North Barrett without Train Dispatcher permission
  • March 9 Note from James L. Lonon, (JLL) Superintendent to WC Resse , CD Only one yard track at Johnson City, #1 which is circa 4000 feet long.  Crews working JC will have to hold onto their set off when picking up, then set off.
  • March 9 Bulletin #14364 Establish #1 JC Yard Track east side of siding MP 120.3 to MP 121.
  • March 9 Bulletin #14365 Discusses working JC as mentioned in above JLL note to WC Reese
    • March 9 JLL to JC Agent Detailing instructions about yard crew taking cars to JC 1 track for pick-up and placement of bills.
  • March 27 Bulletin #14369 JC Yard Track 2 in service.  Main Line trains set off in #2 and pick-ups are in #1.
  • April 13 Bulletin #14374 JC Yard Track 3 in service, east side of #2.

Old Mainline Out-of-Service

  • June 9 Bulletin #14390 Crossing Signals at Johnson City Watauga and Tennessee Streets are removed from service.
  • June 11 Bulletin #14392 New track to connect down town JC with the HIGH LINE Yard is in service. Track extends from JC 1 eastward in a loop 5070 feet to a point where it connects with the old main line      just north of Pharmaseal Plant near old MP 122.25.  Max grade descending is 2%, Max Speed 15 MPH.
  • July 1 Bulletin #14399 New track connected to Cherry Street Lead, Johnson City, at north side of Buffalo Street Crossing extending south to north side of Roan Street Crossing is complete and must be kept open for movement.
  • July 1 Bulletin #14400 Effective July 1 old main track between Roan Street and Buffalo Street crossing Johnson City is removed from service.  Trains are to use the new Cherry Street lead.

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