C. K. Marsh, Jr.
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- Related Websites: Appalachian-Railroads.org | Southern-Railroads.org
C. K. Marsh, Jr.: Noted Historian for the Region and its Railroads
Ken Marsh is the leading historian when it comes to the Charleston Cincinnati & Chicago (3Cs) Railroad, the Clinchfield Railroad, and to Kingsport TN. Additionally, he had a long transportation career, including Eastman Chemical Company, which was originally a division of Eastman Kodak. Ken has called Kingsport home for much of his life.
Ken’s Early Interest in Railroads
Following his first train ride on the Macon Road of the Georgia Railroad in 1941, Ken dedicated his professional life to transportation. Concurrent with this commitment he found his avocation in railroad photography and history.
Following his graduation with a transportation degree from the University of Tennessee, Ken worked for the L&N Railroad, and then served in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps. With the experience of running a military railroad overseas, Ken went to work for Tennessee Eastman Company….managing logistics and traffic for their plants in Kingsport and in Texas for many years.
Marsh has also served as a Kingsport Alderman and on the Tennessee Rail System Plan Advisory Committee.
Ken’s History Videos
No one is better at bringing history and the railroads to life.
Be sure and watch the videos below as Ken talks about the important history of Kingsport and its Railroads, as well as telling some great stories as to the success of the Clinchfield and of the Model City.
- https://www.kingsport100.org/ken-marsh/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I521i2jJJk
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnySoYLgpYw
Book: ‘Clinchfield in Color’
Clinchfield In Color, Published 2004
https://www.abebooks.com/Clinchfield-Color-Volume-1-Marsh-Morning/31225105941/bd
Transcript: Ken Marsh-Tales of the Century: Kingsport Tennessee
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.
- Association: Carolina Clinchfield Chapter National Railway Historical Society
- Association: Louisville & Nashville Railroad Historical Society
- Association: George L. Carter Railroad Historical Society
- Association: Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society
- Personal maps, timetables, track charts, and memorabilia
- Archives of Appalachia – ETSU, Johnson City TN
- Book – Drury: ‘The Historical Guide to North American Railroads’
- Book – Goforth: ‘Building the Clinchfield’ and ‘When Steam Ran the Clinchfield’
- Book – Graybeal: ‘The Railroads of Johnson City’
- Book – Helm: ‘The Clinchfield Railroad in the Coal Fields’
- Book – Irwin & Stahl: ‘The Last Empire Builder: The Life of George L. Carter’
- Book – King: ‘Clinchfield Country’
- Book – Marsh: ‘Clinchfield in Color’
- Book – Poole: ‘A History of Railroading in Western North Carolina’
- Book – Poteat & Taylor: ‘The CSX Clinchfield Route in the 21st Century’
- Book – Stevens & Peoples: ‘The Clinchfield No. 1 – Tennessee’s Legendary Steam Engine’
- Book – Way: ‘The Clinchfield Railroad, the Story of a Trade Route Across the Blue Ridge Mountains’
- Magazines – ‘Trains‘ , ‘Classic Trains‘
- Newspaper Articles – Newspapers.com
- Online Article – Scientific American: ‘The Costliest Railroad in America‘
- Online Article – Classic Trains: ‘Remembering the Clinchfield Railroad‘
- Online Article – Railway Age: ‘This Coal Road Is Also A Speedy Bridge Line,’ Sept 1, 1952 edition
- Online Article – ‘Railway Signaling and Communications‘
- Online Article – Flanary: ‘The Quick Service Route, The Clinchfield Railroad‘
- Online Article – Flanary: ‘Men Against Mountains, Running Trains on the Clinchfield‘ October 2001
- Online Video – Ken Marsh on Kingsport area railroads and region’s history Video #1
- Online Video – Ken Marsh on railroads and region’s history Video #2:
- Website – Carolana.com – North Carolina Railroads, South Carolina Railroads
- Website – Johnson’s Depot hosted by StateOfFranklin.net
- Website – RailFanGuides.us for Johnson City and for Erwin
- Website – The Radio Reference Wiki
- Website – SteamLocomotive.com
- Website – VirginiaPlaces.org – Railroad History of Virginia
- Website – Multimodalways.org
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
