James A. Goforth

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James A. Goforth: Railroad Historian

James served under every Clinchfield General Manager and was the last of the “Clinchfield Old Heads”

He joined the engineering department of the Clinchfield Railroad in 1943. Advancing through the ranks he was appointed Chief Engineer in 1968. He retired in 1981, and resided in Erwin TN doing historical research and writing.

But retirement never slowed him down as he became the noted historian for the Clinchfield and for Erwin TN. As an author of three books, his legacy and his passion for the railroad and the region lives on.

James passed in 2008, his obituary is below.

Jim’s Books

Building the Clinchfield, Published 1983 & 1989

https://www.easttnhistory.org/store/building-clinchfield

When Steam Ran the Clinchfield, Published 1991

Erwin, Tennessee: A Pictorial History. Published 2004

Jim’s Obituary

James A. Goforth, 91, 743 N. Elm Ave., Erwin died Saturday, November 29, 2008 at Unicoi County Memorial Hospital.   He was a native of Asheville, N.C., graduated from Asheville High School, attended Berea College and the University of Kentucky, graduating in 1939 with a B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering.   He joined the engineering department of the Clinchfield Railroad in 1943 and the family moved to Erwin in 1944. He was appointed Chief Engineer in 1968.   In 1973 he resigned to accept the position of City Engineer for Johnson City, TN. and later engaged in a consulting practice. He returned to the Clinchfield in 1979 as Chief Engineer and retired in 1981.   Goforth was a registered professional engineer, a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers and a charter member of the Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers. He served as national president of the American Railway Bridge and Building Association, chairman of the American Railway Engineering Association Tunnel Committee and as chairman of the Tennessee State Highway-Rail Committee.   He was past president of the Erwin Kiwanis Club, The Unicoi Ruritan Club, The Unicoi County Rod and Gun Club and had served as director of the Tennessee Conservation League.   He was a charter member and past president of the Clinchfield Railroad Historical Society and was an inductee into the Clinchfield Railroad Hall of Fame. He served as editor and historian for the Watauga Valley Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. He authored and published two books on the history of the Clinchfield Railroad. He was appointed Historian for the Town of Erwin in 1999 and authored and published the Pictorial History of Erwin.   In May 2006 he was selected as the East Tennessee Historian of the year by the East Tennessee Historical Society of Knoxville and was presented an “Award of Distinction” at a ceremony at the Society Headquarters in Knoxville. Goforth is listed in Who’s Who in Tennessee, The Southeast, Finance and Industry, Community Leaders of America and Technology Today.   He was active outdoors where he loved hiking, hunting and camping in our beautiful forests.   He was preceded in death by his first wife, Charline A. Goforth and his second wife, Margaret Marie Goforth.   He is survived by: one daughter, Elizabeth Horton, Erwin; by two sons: James A. Goforth, Fairbanks, Alaska and John L. Goforth of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Five Grandchildren, four great grandchildren and five step-sons: Eddy, Dexter, Roger, Gary and Scott Flanary.   He served under every Clinchfield General Manager and was the last of the “Clinchfield Old Heads”. His passing takes from us an era of railroading and Erwin history.

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.

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