3Cs Model Railroad: An Alternate History

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3Cs Model Railroad Alternate History

My love of the Clinchfield eventually led me to studying the history of that railroad, but also its predecessor, the Charleston Cincinnati & Chicago Railroad. The stories of these two railroads are fascinating. The CRR and 3Cs are case studies in business and transportation, with visionary entrepreneurs, millions of dollars lost, even more millions made, and there was plenty of fighting and drama.

Lifetime Interests and Goals

As I transitioned into retirement, I wanted to finally accomplish what time never afforded me in my younger days……

  • Research and write about the Railroads of East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia
  • Build an online destination to share this information
  • Build a model railroad layout based on the region’s railroads

With a lack of prototype modeling talents and interest, I knew I couldn’t do justice to creating a miniature Clinchfield Railroad. My perfection and expectations would frustrate me. I didn’t have the skills, patience, or time to model the Clinchfield true-to-life.

It was clear I had to model something that didn’t exist

So, I turned my attention to creating an alternate history based on the following two premises:

  • If the CC&C had been successful
  • If Johnson City had become a railroad boomtown

3Cs Alternate History

In order for these goals to be realized, below are the key events that changed the history of the CC&C, Johnson City and the surrounding region. Also included is a map of what the railroad became.

Charleston Cincinnati and Chicago CC&C 3Cs Model Railroad Map

  • Incorporated 3 years earlier, with construction and acquisition of existing lines beginning in 1885
  • Adequate funding
  • Survived economic downturns
  • Beat the C&O to Cincinnati and Chicago, securing the south bank of the Ohio River. The CC&C eventually shared the line, allowing for upgrades and greater traffic.
  • Bought/Merged key lines in South Carolina and Georgia rather than building new ones
  • Charleston seaport grew
  • CC&C benefited from carrying natural resources both north and south, but it also became a primary bridge route for manifest and passenger trains
  • CC&C became peers to C&O, ACL, and SAL. But, all three cooperated and partnered with the CC&C
  • Obtained trackage rights to Atlanta over SAL
  • Became the shortest route from Chicago to Florida
  • Partnered with C&O, B&O, ACL, and FEC to run streamline passenger trains between Chicago/Detroit/St. Louis/Cincinnati to the north, and Florida cities to the south. These trains beat competitors in distance, time, scenic views, and personal service.
  • Headquarters, shops and the mid-point of the railroad remained in Johnson City
  • Additional businesses and manufacturing plants located in the city and region. Johnson City grew in stature and size equivalent to Roanoke and Knoxville. Bristol and Kingsport also grew larger.
  • Even though they were competitors, Southern and the ET&WNC benefited from the growth and success of the CC&C.
  • Both the CC&C and Southern built lines down the Holston/Watauga Rivers between Kingsport and Johnson City
  • For comparison, original map of the CC&C

3Cs Acquisitions, Mergers, and Construction

Built

  • Chicago to Cincinnati (with C&O)
  • Cincinnati to Ashland KY (with C&O)
  • Ashland Ky to Spartanburg SC

Acquired

  • Augusta & Knoxville Railroad
  • Columbia Newberry & Laurens Railroad
  • Port Royal & Western North Carolina Railroad
  • South Carolina Railroad
  • Southbound Railroad

Comparison of Railroads connecting Ohio River to Atlantic Ocean

CityRouteViaMilesRouteViaMilesRouteVia
Chicago
to
Charleston		CC&CCincinnati
Ashland
Johnson City
Spartanburg
Columbia		1047
Chicago
to
Jacksonville		CC&C
and
ACL		Cincinnati
Ashland
Johnson City
Spartanburg
Augusta
Savannah		1202L&N
and
ACL		Evansville
Nashville
Chattanooga
Atlanta		1086L&N
and
ACL		Indianapolis
Louisville
Nashville
Birmingham
Montgomery		1193SOUCincinnati
Lexington
Chattanooga
Atlanta		1138
Detroit
to
Charleston		C&O
CC&C		Columbus
Ashland
Johnson City
Spartanburg
Augusta
Savannah		1155
Detroit
to
Jacksonville		C&O
CC&C
ACL		Toledo
Columbus
Ashland
Johnson City
Spartanburg
Augusta
Savannah		13431097
Chicago
Jacksonville
Detroit
Jacksonville

CC&C Chicago to Cincy 275

CC&C Cincy to Ashland 145

CC&C Ashland to Spartanburg 411

CC&C Spartanburg to Charleston 216

CC&C Spartanburg to Jacksonville 415

C&O Ashland to Detroit 301

L&N Chicago to Evansville 289

L&N Evansville to Atlanta 447

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.

Contact Us

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