Mergers of the Clinchfield Railroad

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Clinchfield Railroad

Clinchfield Railroad Mergers

For almost 79 years (1924 to 1983), the Clinchfield Railroad transitioned from a singular 277 mile route spanning Elkhorn City KY to Spartanburg SC…..to a separate operating unit leased by two larger railroads…..to eventually becoming an integral part of the CSX system.

Family Lines (1972 to 1982)

Family Lines System Railroad

The Family Lines was a marketing unit for several railroads led by the Seaboard Coast Line and the Louisville & Nashville. The Clinchfield did not legally merge, but by looking at its marketing materials and engines/cabooses, Clinchfield appeared as the Family Lines.

Family Lines System Front Page

Seaboard System (1983 to 1986)

Seaboard System Railroad

The Seaboard System was a further alignment into one entity, both corporately and in day-to-day operations. Clinchfield officially merged in January 1983, ending its run as the Clinchfield and as an independent railroad.

Seaboard System Railroad Front Page

CSX Transportation (1986 to present day)

CSX Transportation

And finally, CSX was the resulting singular railroad made up of the Clinchfield and many other railroads in the Eastern U.S.

CSX Transportation Front Page

Clinchfield Timeline

  • 1902: South & Western Railway (S&W) was incorporated (temporary name to keep eventual routing under wraps
  • 1908: S&W name was changed to Carolina Clinchfield & Ohio Railroad
  • 1909: CC&O was completed from Dante VA to Spartanburg SC
  • 1915: CC&O was completed from Elkhorn City KY to Spartanburg SC
  • 1924: The Atlantic Coast Line (ACL) and the Louisville & Nashville Railroad (L&N) jointly leased the CC&O for 999 years. It’s Erwin TN headquarters and management remained separate. The new operating unit changed its name to Clinchfield Railroad, CRR.
  • 1967: ACL and Seaboard Air Line (SAL) merged, creating the Seaboard Coast Line (SCL)
  • 1971: SCL gained full control of the L&N
  • 1972: The Family Lines was created as a marketing umbrella, where the SCL, L&N, Clinchfield, and other related railroads worked together both in rail services and in marketing.
  • 1980: The SCL and Chessie System (C&O, B&O, WM) merged creating CSX Transportation. This began a multi-year process of slowly merging the operations of all the SCL and Chessie railroads into one.
  • 1982: The SCL and L&N were merged to become the Seaboard System Railroad
  • 1983: The Clinchfield was merged into the Seaboard System. After 79 years, this was the last year of Clinchfield’s separate corporate identity. (1902-1983)
  • 1986: All mergers of different operating units were complete. The CSX Corporation was officially born, one railroad, one corporate entity.

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