Charleston Cincinnati and Chicago Railroad – 3Cs

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Charleston Cincinnati and Chicago Railroad

The First Pioneer

Charleston Cincinnati & Chicago Railroad - 3Cs

It is usually noted that the first pioneers have higher risk, less experience, and a greater chance of failure than those who follow. The Charleston Cincinnati & Chicago Railroad (3Cs) was just that pioneer in the race to connect the Atlantic Ocean with the Ohio River.

The 3Cs vision ended up being spot on, but the lack of funding and economic downturns took their toll. In the end, the 3Cs failed, but 30 years later the Clinchfield Railroad succeeded and prospered beyond expectations.

3Cs Railroad: The Vision

In the 1870s, railroads had reached the west coast, but no railroad had crossed the Appalachian Mountains between Washington DC and Nashville TN. The north and deep south had extensive rail lines, but the middle of the Eastern U.S. was void of this new and efficient means of transportation and economic development.

The people, the states, the cities and towns, and the businesses of this region were all well aware they would be left behind if they did not aggressively take action to bring railroads to this area of the country.

So, the vision was simple: run a rail line through the middle of the Appalachian Mountain region which was rich with natural resources such as coal, iron, and timber…..then transport the resources to either a river or ocean port. Additionally, connecting the Ohio River with the Atlantic Ocean and transporting goods across the mountains would be lucrative and more efficient than rivers or canals.

Conversely, the task was hard: building railroads across the mountains was initially expensive and then costly to operate.

1870s U.S. Railroad Map

General John T. Wilder was the champion of that vision. A Civil War hero, Mayor of Chattanooga, and later a successful businessman, Wilder knew that East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia possessed great opportunity. Early in the 1880s, Wilder moved to Johnson City to create multiple businesses that could eventually supply customers and business for the railroad

John T. Wilder
Charleston Cincinnati & Chicago Railroad Map 1988 - 3Cs - CC&C

3Cs: Construction Begins

With funding from England’s Baring Brothers and Company in hand, Wilder chartered the 3Cs in 1886 and construction soon began in three different locations in the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina. The 3Cs at this point was planned to run from Ashland Ky to Charleston SC. Johnson City TN was to serve as the headquarters for the railroad. As you can see from the map, the railroad was basically a straight line from Ashland, through Johnson City, then Spartanburg SC, and finally to Charleston SC. However, the actual railroad followed rivers through the mountains. These rivers were never straight and provided quite the curves as the line snaked through East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, adding extra miles and great operational costs. There were few large cities on the line, but branches were planned to Charlotte NC and Augusta GA. Two ten-wheeler locomotives were delivered in 1890. After several segments of the railroad were completed, the two locomotives provided limited passenger and freight schedules.

Crossing the Blue Ridge Mountains

One of the 3Cs segments where construction did not begin was from Spruce Pine to Marion NC, crossing the top of the Blue Ridge Mountain front ridge. There was no doubt they were saving it for last as it was one of two most costly segments to build. Click here to see the potential routing and design of the 3Cs across the Blue Ridge based on their initial surveys.

The 3Cs Route

Erwin TN

The first city reached from Johnson City with a fully constructed and operated 3Cs rail line was Erwin TN. General Wilder built a lumber mill, pulp plant, power house, and dam in order to create revenue for the railroad. The company lasted for a decade until it was destroyed by a historic flood in 1901.

Photo: It is reported that the man in the photo is General Wilder as he views the railroad and the Erwin lumber facility on the banks of the Nolichucky River. Photo courtesy of the Philip Laws Collection and Scott Jessee.

Charleston Cincinnati & Chicago Railroad - 3Cs

Chattaroi Railroad

In 1887 the 3Cs announced the purchase of the Chattaroi Railroad in Kentucky. The goal of the initial owners of the Chattaroi in the 1870s was to serve the coal fields at Peach Orchard KY. However, for the Charleston Cincinnati & Chicago Railroad, it was a vital link to its destination of the Ohio River at Ashland KY. Click here for more information on the Chattaroi.

3Cs: The Failure

In 1890, a financial panic caused the failure of Baring Brothers and sent the 3Cs into receivership, pausing all construction and limiting operation. Many have said in total, these multiple stretches of railroad grades were the most number of miles of unfinished railroad in history of the industry.

The Ohio River & Charleston Railroad bought the 3Cs for $550,000 in 1893.

3Cs Vision Realized

George L. Carter and the Clinchfield Railroad

George L. Carter purchased segments of the original CC&C in the early 1900s. He added new construction to the existing CC&C roadbed, reducing grades and curves. The outcome was the Clinchfield Railroad (CC&O) running from Elkhorn City KY to Spartanburg SC.

The dream of bridging the Ohio River with the Atlantic Ocean was finally realized. For many years thereafter, the Clinchfield Railroad became a Class 1 railroad that efficiently moved millions of tons of goods, products and natural resources across and through the mountains.

The vision of so many business people, municipalities, politicians, and investors from 1830s to the end of the century was finally realized in 1915. Connecting the Mid-West with the South East, while tapping the natural resources of the Appalachian Mountains made great business sense, and brought prosperity to the region and its people.

Three Railroads

Instead of having one singular railroad stretch from Chicago IL to Charleston SC, the 3Cs’ original plan was accomplished by three railroads that worked together to provide a seamless service.

  • Chesapeake & Ohio Railway – Chicago to Elkhorn City KY
  • Carolina Clinchfield & Ohio Railway (Clinchfield Railroad) – Elkhorn City to Spartanburg SC
  • Atlantic Coast Line Railroad – Spartanburg SC to Charleston SC (and many other important growing southern cities)

Wilder’s Vision

John T. Wilder’s original vision of the 3Cs connecting the Ohio River and the Atlantic Ocean while initially a failure, was eventually spot on. Wilder did live to see the completion of the Clinchfield. No doubt he lamented in the personal fortune he lost, but hopefully he realized that history would chronicle his foresight and eventual success.

3Cs Railfan Guide

As we explore the 3Cs and other Appalachian Railroads, we will provide Railfan Guides that allow you to explore them online, or by driving, riding, or hiking. Some of these railroads have segments that are thriving, others that are in decline, and many are abandoned. Quite a few of the abandoned roadbeds are now roads or rails-to-trails, while others require some hiking. Of course, railfan guides are never fully complete, and can always be improved, so send us your updates, questions, and suggestions.

Click here for the Charleston Cincinnati & Chicago 3Cs Railfan Guide

3Cs Today in Pictures

Remnants of the 3Cs remains in Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Kentucky. Over the coming months we will add photos and information where you can follow and view the grade or roadbed. Below are scenes of the roadbed running through Johnson City, crossing and paralleling the Southern Railway (Norfolk Southern) mainline, then heading south in the direction of Erwin.

Charleston Cincinnati & Chicago Railroad - 3Cs
3Cs original roadbed entering Johnson City from the north on the left, Southern Railway (Norfolk Southern) mainline to the right. CC&C line headed north to Kingsport through Cash Hollow and along the Watauga and South Holston Rivers. Southern mainline went northeast to Bristol through Watauga and Bluff City.
Charleston Cincinnati & Chicago Railroad - 3Cs
3Cs roadbed to the right. Southern Mainline (Norfolk Southern) in the center. Southern Railway/Norfolk Southern Johnson City Yard to the left. We are looking west, with North Broadway Street (Avenue) in front of us. The proposed Johnson City Union Station would have been built in front of us on the right.
Charleston Cincinnati & Chicago Railroad - 3Cs
Southern Railway (Norfolk Southern) mainline looking eastward to Bristol as it enters the downtown area of Johnson City. The spur to the right and left is the original 3Cs roadbed where it crossed the Southern. The proposed Johnson City Union Station would have been in front of us right after the curve. Union Station was intended to serve all three railroads: 3Cs, ETV&G (Southern), and ET&WNC.
Charleston Cincinnati & Chicago Railroad - 3Cs
3Cs roadbed rounding Tannery Knob in Johnson City. In front of us to the south is Buffalo Mountain. The next stops for the CC&C 3Cs is Unicoi and Erwin TN.
Charleston Cincinnati & Chicago Railroad - 3Cs
3Cs roadbed passing by the ET&WNC engine house in Johnson City TN. The spur is now used by CSX and East Tennessee Railway.
Clinchfield Railroad Mainline and 3Cs Mainline merge in Johnson City.
3Cs roadbed on the left, merging with the old Clinchfield Railroad mainline on the right in Johnson City TN. Both are now spurs for CSX and the East Tennessee Railway. The 3Cs/Clinchfield Railroad’s next stop is Erwin TN.

CC&C 3Cs Grade in Boone Lake

By using Google Maps, you can see the outline and inundated remains of the CC&C 3Cs grade within Boone Lake as it hugged the shoreline of the Watauga and South Holston Rivers. The grade you see below is between Boone Dam and the confluence of the Watauga and South Holston.

Charleston Cincinnati & Chicago Railroad - 3Cs

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Colonial+Heights,+TN+37663/@36.4380381,-82.4307556,797m/dat

More Rails Across the Appalachians information will be added to this page and website in the days ahead. Please let me know if you have any questions, see any edits that should be made, or have any content you are willing to share. Would enjoy hearing from you if you have similar interests in Appalachian Railroads, the region, or model railroading.

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