CSX Railroad Divisions and Subdivisions

Home » Mergers of the Clinchfield Railroad » CSX Transportation (Railroad) » CSX Railroad Divisions and Subdivisions
Clinchfield Railroad

Divisions and Subdivisions of CSX’s Clinchfield Line

Researched and Chronicled by Scott Jessee and Sandhi Kozsuch

CSX Railroad Divisions and Subdivisions

From 1909 until 1983 the Clinchfield Railroad was a standalone railroad that was run as an independent operating entity with dedicated leadership, staff, infrastructure, financial accounting, and operating procedures. Even though the Clinchfield was leased for most of those years by the Atlantic Coast Line and Louisville & Nashville, it still operated independently.

It’s last day as the Clinchfield was on January 1, 1983, when it became the Clinchfield Division of the Seaboard System Railroad, which was owned by CSX Transportation.

With all of the CSX rail line mergers completed by 1987, the Seaboard System name had served its purpose and the new consolidated railroad company is simply known as ‘CSX.’

CSX Divisions and Subdivisions Timeline

Since 1983, CSX has made numerous changes in its operating division structure. Some changes were driven by business strategies and the marketplace. Others were driven by operating efficiency. Whatever the reason, the original Clinchfield line from Elkhorn City to Spartanburg has fallen under multiple CSX divisions.

From 1984 to 1987, the line was split between two different divisions, Florence and the Corbin. In 1987, the line was reunited back under one division, and has remained within a singular division since.

The following grid follows the Clinchfield line over the past 40 years within CSX, showing the changes in divisions and subdivisions.

DateDivisionSub DivisionNotes
1983Clinchfield Division of the Seaboard System
1984Corbin DivisionKingsport SubdivisionErwin to Elkhorn City
Florence DivisionBlue Ridge SubdivisionErwin to Spartanburg
1987Corbin DivisionKingsport SubdivisionErwin to Elkhorn City
” “Blue Ridge SubdivisionErwin to Spartanburg
1994Blue Ridge DivisionKingsport SubdivisionErwin to Elkhorn City
” ” “Blue Ridge SubdivisionErwin to Spartanburg
1997Appalachian Service Lane (see map below)Kingsport SubdivisionErwin to Elkhorn City
” ” “Blue Ridge SubdivisionErwin to Spartanburg
2000Appalachian DivisionKingsport SubdivisionErwin to Elkhorn City
” “Blue Ridge SubdivisionErwin to Spartanburg
2004Huntington DivisionKingsport SubdivisionErwin to Elkhorn City
” “Blue Ridge SubdivisionErwin to Spartanburg
2016Florence DivisionKingsport SubdivisionErwin to Elkhorn City
” “Blue Ridge SubdivisionErwin to Spartanburg

The CSX/Clinchfield Line Today

The original Clinchfield line is defined as two distinct subdivisions within CSX and its Florence Division, with the northern half as the Kingsport Subdivision, and the southern half as the Blue Ridge Subdivision. Even though Erwin is the dividing point, Kingsport has become more of an operational center and crew change point for both subdivisions.

Appalachian Service Lane Map

CSX Railroad Appalachian Service Line

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