Loops of the Clinchfield Railroad

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Clinchfield Railroad

Clinchfield Loops: An Engineering Marvel

Researched and Chronicled by Scott Jessee and Sandhi Kozsuch

The Clinchfield Loops are a marvel with exemplary engineering and design, allowing the railroad to smoothly and almost effortlessly move heavy tonnage up, down and over the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Keeping the grade to 1.2%, the loops allow the track to slowly descend from the top of the mountains at Altapass to the foothills at Sevier NC, a distance of 23 miles. Some sources consider the loops to be only 13.5 miles if you only count the top segment where the first loop circles through a valley.

The Charleston Cincinnati & Chicago Railroad in the 1880s planned a similar loop concept, but their design included tighter and many more curves, a longer length, and fewer tunnels.

Clinchfield Railroad Loops - CSX - Three tunnels in a row - Photo by Calvin Sneed

1600′ of Elevation, 16 Tunnels

Looping back and forth, through 16 tunnels, the trains ascend or descend 1200 feet in elevation, from 2620 to 1400 feet above sea level. Originally, there were 17 tunnels, but 3rd Rocky was daylighted and became a cut.

At one point where the tracks have looped back upon themselves, 16 miles of track traveled is separated by only 2 miles of actual bird-flying distance, albeit there is quite the difference in elevation.

An excellent view of the loops can be seen from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Three Tunnels in a row on the Loops. Photo courtesy Calvin Sneed.

Tunnels, Mile Posts & Elevations on the Clinchfield Loops

From north to south, the tunnels, mile posts and elevations are:

  • Vance – 186.6 – 2620′
  • Blue Ridge – 187.3 – 2628′
  • Upper Pine Ridge – 188.8 – 2550′
  • Upper Bridle Path – 189.8 – 2500′
  • 1st Washburn – 190.5 – 2450′
  • 2nd Washburn – 190.7 – 2435′
  • Quinn’s Knob – 191.4 – 2420′
  • 3rd Washburn – 191.4 – 2390′
  • Snipes – 191.8 – 2375′
  • Lower Bridle Path – 192.6 – 2325′
  • Speedy – 193.3 – 2285′
  • Lower Pine Ridge – 193.5 – 2275′
  • Byrd – 194.0 – 2240′
  • 1st Rocky – 195.5 – 2160′
  • 2nd Rocky – 195.8 – 2135′
  • 4th Rocky – 197.8 – 1935′
  • Honeycutt – 200.1 – 1890′

Ron Flanary: Loops 1974 Excursion

Narrative and Photo by Ron Flanary

Clinchfield Railroad Loops - Photo by Ron Flanary

Here’s Clinchfield 800 and 200 on a passenger special in September 1974. We were stopped at Rocky, NC, on the Blue Ridge Loops south of Altapass. The white “extra” flags were a nice touch, but not necessary in CTC territory.

Clinchfield Loops 1909 Map and Profile

This map shows the Loops during, and right after construction and includes the construction camps and profile. Provided by University of North Carolina. Use your browser zoom features to see map in greater detail.

Clinchfield Railroad Loops - CSX - Map and Profile - 1909 - University of North Carolina

Clinchfield Loops Interactive Map

Google Maps with a terrain base map does an excellent job of showing how the Clinchfield loops around the ridges and through tunnels.

Click here to see an interactive version where you can zoom in and out, and see street level detail.

Clinchfield Loops Map - CSX - Google Interactive Map

Clinchfield Loops Video Flyover utilizing Google Earth

Here is a wonderful video on YouTube that gives you a unique perspective of just how the Clinchfield climbed the Blue Ridge escarpment using the unique design of the Loops.

I urge everyone to read the books listed in the resource section of this website for additional details and perspectives on Loops and the history of the railroad of its predecessors. The books are excellent.

Slideshow by Calvin Sneed the Bridgehunter

https://bridgehunter.com/nc/mcdowell/bh51627/

https://bridgehunter.com/nc/mitchell/bh51607/

Bob Lawrence’s Tunnel Diaries

https://thetunneldiaries.com/

Blue Ridge Parkway View and Historical Marker

https://www.nps.gov/places/the-loops-ol.htm

https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=123180

Video of Loops

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.

3Cs Websites

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