Kingsport to Unaka Springs Survey of the Clinchfield

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Clinchfield Railroad

Clinchfield Railroad (S&W) Survey from Kingsport to Unaka Springs

These were the multiple survey options Carter and Caples were considering. Originally before Caples arrived at S&W, Carter had first intended to use the old CC&C 3Cs grade along the Holston and Watauga Rivers, which you can see included tight curves and steeper grades.

On this map, you will also see several .5% grade options they were considering that would have potentially bypassed either Johnson City or Erwin. There was even an option to run the line through Jonesborough, and another one that would have paralleled the Embreeville Branch of the Southern Railway.

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Clinchfield Railroad Survey - Kingsport to Unaka Springs

Comparison of Surveys from Kingsport to Unaka Springs

In comparing the surveys of the S&W from Kingsport to Unaka Springs:

  • The Horse Creek survey was the furthest west…..and also the longest.
  • The Jonesboro and Soldiers/Nolichucky surveys bypassed Johnson City, but were the shortest.
  • The Adopted/Current Line was able to reach Johnson City with only adding several miles in distance.

The grid below outlines the surveys that the South & Western Railway was considering in 1905-1906.

NameMilesGradeCurves
(degrees)
Old CC&C Grade
Follows South Holston River, to Watauga River,
through Cash Hollow, Johnson City, through Unicoi. The Clinchfield did use some of this grade climbing out of Johnson City prior to the Johnson City highline.		631.0%14
Adopted/Current Line
Combination of Jonesboro and Soldiers Lines. Boones Creek viaduct and Indian Ridge tunnel connect the two lines.		45.5%6
Horse Creek Line
Goes through Fall Branch and Limestone where it joins the Nolichucky River, traveling through Embreeville to Erwin		64.5%, with
some 1.1%		6
Soldiers Home Line
Diverges from Holston River near Boone Dam heading south, turns west for a ways paralleling North Knob Creek, turns south again at Indian Ridge, then follows current line.		49.5%4
Jonesboro Line
Diverges from current line at Boone, turns west, skirts Jonesboro to the north and west, then south to the Nolichucky River on the east bank to Erwin		44 (+/-).5%6
Soldiers/Nolichucky Line
Follows the Soldiers Line, diverges at Old Jonesboro Highway, turning west to parallel the SOU Embreeville Branch, until is reaches the Nolichucky River, then follows the river as it bypasses Erwin to the west.		44.5%6
Erwin Highline
Current Line, Diverging at Unicoi, running higher on the ridge, skirting Erwin to the south, then crossing the Nolichucky River on a high viaduct, 150 feet higher than current bridge.		45.5%6

Clinchfield.org Sources and Resources

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