Corbin, Kentucky

Home » Appalachian Cities and Towns » Corbin, Kentucky

Corbin, Kentucky: Appalachian Railroad Town

Nestled in the Appalachian region of southeastern Kentucky, Corbin emerged as a quintessential railroad hub in the late 19th century. Founded around 1882 when the Louisville and Nashville Railroad (L&N) extended its lines southward from Louisville and Covington, the town quickly grew from a swampy outpost into a bustling center for shipping coal and timber from the surrounding mountains. By 1883, tracks reached Corbin and nearby Jellico, solidifying its role as a key junction. The influx of railroad workers, alongside timber industry laborers, fostered a volatile atmosphere, earning Corbin a reputation for violence in its early years. Tragically, this tension culminated in 1919 when over 200 African American residents—many employed by the railroad—were forcibly expelled from the town in a violent racial purge, an event that scarred its history.

L&N Railroad

Corbin became a major division point for the L&N, particularly after the creation of the Corbin Division in 1976 amid surging coal traffic from the Cumberland Valley Subdivision. The L&N established extensive facilities, including a classification yard for assembling coal trains, a roundhouse expanded to 26 stalls by 1921, and locomotive repair shops to maintain fleets hauling resources north. At its peak, the yard served as a vital marshalling hub for Appalachian coal, with expansions in the 1920s and diesel facilities added in the 1960s. Following the 1982 merger into CSX Transportation, Corbin remained a key division point at the junction of the CC, KD, and CV Subdivisions. CSX invested $43 million in 1986 to rebuild the yard, adding modern locomotive and car repair shops.

Corbin Today

Today, with a population of about 7,900, Corbin has diversified beyond rail amid coal’s decline. CSX still operates the active rail yard for train operations and classification, though mechanical shops closed in 2015, furloughing workers. The economy now focuses on healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and tourism, with attractions like historic trains and nearby Cumberland Falls preserving its Appalachian railroad legacy.

Corbin Stats

  • Coordinates: 36.9487° N, 84.0969° W
  • Elevation: 1,079 feet above sea level
  • Named For: Rev. James Corbin Floyd
  • Originally Known As: Lynn Camp, Cummins’ Station
  • Nickname: Redhounds, KFC’s Home, Niagara of the South
  • Founded: Settled – 1885, Incorporated – 1905
  • Population: 7,891 (2024)
  • Counties: Whitley, Knox, and Laurel

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.

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.

Go back

Your message has been sent

3Cs Websites

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