C. K. Marsh, Jr.
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Page Contents
Ken Marsh: Noted Historian for the Appalachian Region and its Railroads
Ken Marsh is the leading historian when it comes to the Charleston Cincinnati & Chicago (3Cs) Railroad, the Clinchfield Railroad, and to Kingsport TN. Additionally, he had a long transportation career, including Eastman Chemical Company, which was originally a division of Eastman Kodak. Ken has called Kingsport home for much of his life.
Ken’s Early Interest in Railroads
Following his first train ride on the Macon Road of the Georgia Railroad in 1941, Ken dedicated his professional life to transportation. Concurrent with this commitment he found his avocation in railroad photography and history.
Following his graduation with a transportation degree from the University of Tennessee, Ken worked for the L&N Railroad, and then served in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps. With the experience of running a military railroad overseas, Ken went to work for Tennessee Eastman Company….managing logistics and traffic for their plants in Kingsport and in Texas for many years.
Marsh has also served as a Kingsport Alderman and on the Tennessee Rail System Plan Advisory Committee.
Ken’s History Videos
No one is better at bringing history and the railroads to life.
Be sure and watch the videos below as Ken talks about the important history of Kingsport and its Railroads, as well as telling some great stories as to the success of the Clinchfield and of the Model City.
- https://www.kingsport100.org/ken-marsh/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I521i2jJJk
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnySoYLgpYw
Ken’s Book
Clinchfield In Color, Published 2004
Transcript: Ken Marsh-Tales of the Century: Kingsport Tennessee
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.
- Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Historical Society
- Chesapeake & Ohio Historical Society
- Louisville & Nashville Railroad Historical Society
- Norfolk & Western Historical Society
- Southern Railway Historical Association
- Archives of Appalachia: ETSU, Johnson City TN
- Book – Drury. The Historical Guide to North American Railroads
- Book – Flanary, Lindsey & Oroszi. The Southern Railway
- Books – Goforth: ‘Building the Clinchfield‘ and ‘When Steam Ran the Clinchfield‘
- Book – Graybeal: ‘The Railroads of Johnson City‘
- Book – Irwin & Stahl: ‘The Last Empire Builder: The Life of George L. Carter‘
- Book – King: ‘Clinchfield Country‘
- Book – Marsh: ‘Clinchfield in Color‘
- Book – Poole: ‘A History of Railroading in Western North Carolina‘
- Book – Poteat & Taylor: ‘The CSX Clinchfield Route in the 21st Century‘
- Book – Stevens & Peoples: ‘The Clinchfield No. 1 – Tennessee’s Legendary Steam Engine‘
- Book – Way: ‘The Clinchfield Railroad, the Story of a Trade Route Across the Blue Ridge Mountains‘
- Book – Wolfe: Southern Railway Appalachia Division
- Magazines/Online: ‘Trains‘, ‘Classic Trains‘
- Carolana.com – North Carolina Railroads, South Carolina Railroads
- HawkinsRails.net
- StateOfFranklin.net which hosts Johnson’s Depot
- RailFanGuides.us for Johnson City and for Erwin
- SteamLocomotive.com
- WvncRails.org – North Carolina and West Virginia Railroads
- Online Videos: Ken Marsh on Kingsport area railroads and region’s history Video #1 | Video #2:
- Online Article: Flanary: ‘The Quick Service Route, The Clinchfield Railroad‘
- Numerous Newspaper Articles: Newspapers.com
- Article: Scientific American: ‘The Costliest Railroad in America‘
- Personal Maps & Memorabilia: Documents, maps, timetables, and track charts
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
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.