Searching for the Charleston Cincinnati & Chicago Railroad

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Charleston Cincinnati & Chicago Railroad

Searching for the 3Cs by Scott Jessee

One of the historical documents Scott Jessee uses as he searches for abandoned CC&C 3Cs roadbed is a document from the Archives of Appalachia at East Tennessee State University. It is a list of 3Cs roadbed segments, some of which were acquired by the Clinchfield/CC&O and other railroads. Document: Charleston, Cincinnati, and Chicago Railroad Company; Carolina, Clinchfield, and Ohio Railway Records.

Scott’s article below and this document provide great guidance for those of us who are trekking in pursuit of the CC&C roadbed.

3Cs Started, but Never Finished Townes Tunnel

“I often wondered about Charleston, Cincinnati, and Chicago’s tunnel work near CRR’s Townes tunnel.
My CSX Kingsport Sub trainmaster duties required me to monitor crews for rules compliance. Between derailments and rules checks, I probably traveled the Miller Yard dirt road 30 round trips or more.

Circa 2001, James Goforth and I journeyed to Miller Yard. Mr. Goforth pointed to his right and casually mentioned right there is where the 3Cs tunnel would had been. I had driven by the place many times and never suspected it. After turning onto VA Route 608 Miller Yard Lane, about .70 miles later the road starts uphill and along that area to the right is where the 3Cs tunnel would had been.

CC&C 3Cs Roadbed Near Elkhorn City

Now what about the 3Cs at Elkhorn City, KY?

Several months ago I was on Google Maps and followed the railroad south out of Elkhorn. Something caught my eye, I scrolled back, and noticed Old Three C Road near Bartlick.

Who ever knew that?

November 2022 Ken Marsh and I made our way to check out Old Three C Road. The first portion was obviously not roadbed as the road was on a hill but then we started a descent. Pavement turned into gravel and due to my vehicle and weather conditions, we turned around.

(Photo and narrative by Scott Jessee)

At CSX’s Toms Bottom defect detector, we stopped and spoke to a CSX signal maintainer. He said the road eventually works its way across from the main line at Towers.

Part of the grading south of Pool Point and along Old Three C Road may have been what the January 26, 1888 Johnson City Comet article was discussing.

Captain H. Lumsden would pass on March 24, 1888. I wonder if the primitive and rugged work conditions attributed to his demise?

Searching for the 3Cs Roadbed – KY to SC


There are plenty of Three C roadbed locations from Unicoi north if you know where to go and what you are actually looking at.

With the advancement of Google Maps and other map making programs, if you know where the Three C route was, it can easily be traced. Even using the above document, if you go 3000 feet south of Pool Point and connect that area to Old 3 C Road, it gives you an idea of the 3C alignment versus the CC&O’s.”

For More Information – Sources and Resources

The following are excellent resources for those of you wanting to explore and learn more about the history and operation of the Appalachian Railroads. These sources of information also serve as reference and historical materials for Appalachian-Railroads.org. Much of the content on the website is verified across multiple sources.

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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 railroads or model railroading.

3Cs Websites

Appalachian-Railroads.org | Clinchfield.org | Southern-Railroads.org