Emory River

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Emory River – Appalachian Mountain Passageway

The Emory River, a 46-mile (74 km) waterway in eastern Tennessee, served as a critical passageway through the Cumberland Plateau, the western escarpment of the Appalachian Mountains. Originating below Fork Mountain in Morgan County (36°09′25″N, 84°26′47″W; elevation 2,450 feet/750 m), it flows southwest, draining an 872-square-mile (2,260 km²) basin before joining the Clinch River at Kingston, Roane County (35°53′15″N, 84°29′29″W; elevation 741 feet/226 m). Its valleys and gorges offered a navigable route across the plateau’s steep, forested escarpments, rising over 2,000 feet from the Tennessee Valley.

Early History

Historically, Native American trails, used by Cherokee and Woodland cultures, traced the Emory for trade and hunting. By the 1780s, settlers adapted these into the Emery Road, a wagon route linking East Tennessee to the Cumberland Basin. This path supported migration and commerce across the rugged terrain.

Cincinnati Southern Railway

The Cincinnati Southern Railway, financed by the city of Cincinnati and completed in 1880, capitalized on the Emory River valley to construct a vital trans-Appalachian line. Designed to connect Cincinnati, Ohio, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, the railway—operated by the Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railway—followed the river’s gradual slopes near Harriman to ascend the plateau. Known as the “Rathole Division” for its 27 tunnels, this route used the Emory’s gorge to navigate the escarpment, enabling coal and freight transport southward. Engineering feats, like bridges and tunnels in the Emory River Gorge (now part of the Obed Wild and Scenic River), remain visible. Today, Norfolk Southern operates this line.

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 collective railroad history data points on this website are 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.

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3Cs Websites

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