Model Railroads of the Clinchfield Railroad

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Clinchfield Railroad

Clinchfield Model Railroads

The Clinchfield Railroad was certainly an engineering and operational marvel. The following model railroaders have done an exemplary job at reproducing the Clinchfield’s legacy on a smaller scale. You might say their layouts are ‘works of art,’ while also being engineering and operational marvels.

In addition to the summaries below, please check out their websites and Facebook groups for more pictures, information, and on-going updates.

Ken Borowski’s Clinchfield Blue Ridge Subdivision in N Scale

Clinchfield Model Railroad - Ken Borowski's Clinchfield Blue Ridge Subdivision in N Scale

Ken Borowski does a stellar job at capturing the Clinchfield Railroad as it existed and as it operated. You can actually place yourself railfanning in the river gorge as the trains roll by. His N-Scale Clinchfield Railroad Blue Ridge Division layout models selected areas of the Clinchfield between Erwin, TN and Bostic, NC. The layout occupies a 13′ x 32′ space utilizing an around the walls design. There are 2 staging yards located in a separate 10′ x 14′ room to enable realistic operating sessions. Ken’s layout is set up as a point to point track plan, but it can run continuously if desired.

    Ken has been interested in the former Clinchfield Railroad for over 25 years, primarily the Blue Ridge Subdivision. He have been modeling actual scenes and towns along the line using photographs, maps and historical data. He has made many research and railfanning trips to the Clinchfield region.

Ken is great at sharing his layout, talent, and knowledge with others. He hosts regular operating sessions and open houses throughout the year. 

Ken’s Blue Ridge Subdivision Website

Ken’s Facebook Group

Clinchfield Model Railroad - Ken Borowski's Clinchfield Blue Ridge Subdivision in N Scale

Robert Helm’s Virginia Southwestern in O Gauge

Clinchfield Model Railroad - Robert Helm's Virginia Southwestern in O Gauge

The Virginia Southwestern is inspired by the Clinchfield Railroad north end from Dante to Kingsport….and the Norfolk and Western Railway around St Paul including interchanges with the Interstate and Southern. His era is the mid-1950s. Robert models in 2-rail O scale 1:48. Layout construction began in 2019 and when finished will be 1200 square feet double-decked. Robert said, “I am running Clinchfield, Southern, Interstate, and Norfolk and Western trains typical of that era with a mix of coal trains, merchandise freight, and locals. My plans are to run up to 40 car trains with multiple pushers/helpers. The primary engines are first generation diesels to match the era.”

“The layout is being rebuilt with prototype theme changes to the highest standards to allow for realistic and reliable operations.”

Robert’s Virginia Southwestern Facebook Group.

The Virginia Southwestern is not his first Clinchfield model railroad. Less than ten years ago he had finished and was operating a large HO scale layout. Robert’s YouTube Channel provides videos of all of his layouts.

Clinchfield Model Railroad - Robert Helm's Virginia Southwestern in O Gauge

Brent Johnson’s Clinchfield Railroad Carolina Division in HO Scale

Clinchfield Model Railroad - Brent Johnson's Clinchfield Railroad Carolina Division in HO Scale

Brent Johnson is modeling the south end of the Clinchfield, Erwin to Spartanburg, in the late 1970s. Construction of the layout began in earnest in 2019 and when complete, will fill most of a 31’x53’ room. The layout is double deck HO scale with a continuous climb between the decks. Currently, the section from North Cove to Bostic is completed. The layout will eventually feature prototypical operations with full CTC.

Brent’s goal my goal is to have the layout look and operate like the real Clinchfield, by modeling key scenes, and re-creating the trains that traveled through them.

Brent said, “my interest in the Clinchfield began after picking up a couple old issues of ‘Railroad Model Craftsman’ from 1976, which featured a two part article on the Clinchfield. Ever since then, I’ve been infatuated by this intriguing little railroad.”

Brent Johnson’s Clinchfield Railroad Carolina Division Facebook Group

Clinchfield Model Railroad - Brent Johnson's Clinchfield Railroad Carolina Division in HO Scale

Dan Bourque’s Appalachian Railroad Modeling website has a great collection of Clinchfield track plans, as well as plans for many other railroads of our region.

‘Model Railroader’s’ Clinchfield Railroad Layout in N Scale

In 1978-1979 Model Railroader Magazine featured the designing and building of a Clinchfield N-Scale layout. It was a multi-issue project that became one of their most popular series. Later in 1979 the monthly articles were combined into a book. Gordon Odegard led the project for Model Railroader, with assistance by other staffers. For several years the layout appeared at trains shows and other model railroad events around the country.

Just like the real Clinchfield, the layout included Moss Mine where the coal trains originated, and a a large Duke Power Plant as a destination. Between these two points, there was plenty of mainline and a small version of the Dante yard.

The layout was one of the first times the magazine had used Styrofoam as a basis for the scenery and terrain.

Here is a video narrated by Model Railroader’s Senior Editor Jim Hediger who provides an overview of the project, the features of the layout, construction techniques, and even a funny story about what happened to the layout after several years of train show touring.

Clinchfield Model Railroad - 'Model Railroader's' Clinchfield Railroad Layout in N Scale

Blissfield Model Railroad Club in HO Scale

Clinchfield Model Railroad - Blissfield Model Railroad Club in HO Scale

The Blissfield Model Railroad Club (Blissfield, Michigan) layout is loosely based on a section of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad from Cincinnati, OH to Charleston, WV with a branch to Elkhorn City, KY, the line from Limeville Jct, KY to Toledo, OH, and a portion of the Clinchfield Railroad from Elkhorn City, KY to Johnson City, TN in the 1955-1965 era. They generally try to run equipment of these railroads and time period during operating sessions, but all eras, as well as equipment of all railroads are welcome with members running during open houses. The HO scale layout occupies a 27 foot by 98 foot room, allowing them over 2500 square feet of operating space.

The BMRC is a group of model railroaders from all over the southeast Michigan and Northwest Ohio area who are actively working on building and operating this large HO scale model railroad. The club currently has 40 total members. BMRC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and is open “FREE” regularly to the public and schools, scouts, churches, service clubs, and other groups.

Website: https://bmrr.org/

Blissfield Model Railroad Club Facebook Group

Clinchfield Model Railroad - Blissfield Model Railroad Club in HO Scale

Greg Hale’s Clinchfield Model Railroad in HO Scale

Clinchfield Model Railroad - Greg Hale's Clinchfield Model Railroad in HO Scale

Greg models the north end of the Clinchfield, from Elkhorn City, KY to St. Paul, VA. The triple-deck HO scale layout fills a 32×36 basement, and has a 400 -foot mainline run. By modeling St. Paul, he was able to incorporate a section of the N&W’s Clinch Valley Branch, including the crossover with the Clinchfield.

He models the 1981 time period as this was the era he was exposed to as a young boy growing up in St. Paul.

The layout has two yards: Elkhorn and Dante. The layout includes all four branches at the time: Nora, McClure, Fremont, and Haysi.

It is operated as point-to-point, but the ends are connected by a 4-turn helix, to simplify staging and allow coal extras to “leave” the layout going south at St. Paul, the “reappear” as south-bounds at Elkhorn City. The layout was built for operations, although scenery progress is coming along. Operating sessions typically last about six hours, with a crew of 10-15.

Greg’s FB Group, including operating session videos: Modeling the Clinchfield Railroad

Clinchfield Model Railroad - Greg Hale's Clinchfield Model Railroad in HO Scale
Clinchfield Model Railroad - Greg Hale's Clinchfield Model Railroad in HO Scale

Chase O’Brien’s N Scale Clinchfield

Clinchfield Model Railroad - N Scale - Chase O'Brien

Chase models the Clinchfield RR in its twilight years during the 1970’s. The operations are planned to be prototypical, but the layout is still in its infancy. This is an N scale layout occupying a room that is 26 x 15′, it has three decks with two helixes and is setup to be point to point. Chase doesn’t necessarily have a favorite location but really enjoys learning about the line. He originally wanted to model the area around his home, however, he fell in love with the Clinchfield after seeing Bob Helms’ HO layout. Chase didn’t even know where the Clinchfield was, upon learning that it ran through western North Carolina, he was interested in seeing and learning more about it. He picked the 1970’s because of the variety of engines and rolling stock, feeling that everything today looks too much alike.

Chase also really likes the idea of big consists on the head end of a coal train. This type of railroading of course is offered in abundance on the Clinchfield, along with interchange and industrial switching. The railroad runs through beautiful tunnels and small rural Appalachian mining towns. Chase says the “CRR is a raw and powerful beast run by, from what I’ve read, friendly humble people.” I hope to somehow capture both of these characteristics on my layout.

Clinchfield Model Railroad - N Scale - Chase O'Brien

More Clinchfield information will be added to this page and website in the days ahead. Please let me know if you have any questions, see any edits that should be made, or have any content you are willing to share. Would enjoy hearing from you if you have similar interests in the Clinchfield, the region, or model railroading.

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