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Clinchfield Railroad Steam Locomotives

The classifications given by railroads to their steam locomotive fleets were as varied as the machines themselves with several different designations within a particular class! The Clinchfield Railroad steam locomotives were likewise characterized by a wide range of types from E to P, even though overall in comparison to other Class Is the railroad's fleet was rather small (as was the railroad itself at only a few hundred miles). In any event, the information here is most certainly not a complete, all-time listing of CoG's steam fleet and also is merely meant to list the general types of steam locomotives operated by the railroad.

The Clinchfield Railroad is one of the less notable fallen flags, most likely due to its very small size, only a tad over 300 miles at its peak! However, the railroad does hold an important place in railroading history and is best remembered as another of the Appalachian coal haulers, lugging millions of tons of black diamonds from the mountains of Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Along with the railroad’s association with coal it also served as a very effective north-south bridge line for traffic of railroads such as the Southern and Chesapeake & Ohio.

While the Clinchfield Railroad may have been small, it more than made up for its size in the massive arcticulated steam locomotives it rostered. Built to haul coal so were its locomotives which included 2-8-8-2s, 2-6-6-2s, and 4-6-6-4 Challengers (built from the same plans as the Union Pacific's Challengers). Unfortunately none of the CRR's behemoth steamers survive today although two of its 4-6-0 Ten-Wheelers are preserved. For more information about their whereabouts and status please click here.

Class E

The CRR's Class E included its fleet of large 4-6-6-4 Challengers.

Class F-1

The CRR's Class F-1 included its roster of 2-6-0 Moguls.

Class G

The CRR's Class G included its fleet of 4-6-0 Ten-Wheelers.

Class H

The CRR's Class H included its fleet of 2-8-0 Consolidations (as well as a roster of 0-8-0 switchers, Class H-3).

Class K

The CRR's Class K included its fleet of 2-8-2 Mikados.

Class L

The CRR's Class L included its fleet of 2-8-8-2 heavy articulateds.

Class M

The CRR's Class M included its fleet of 2-6-6-2 heavy articulateds.

Class P

The CRR's Class P included its fleet of 4-6-2 Pacifics.

For more reading about Clinchfield Railroad steam locomotives consider the book Clinchfield Railroad in the Coalfields by author Robert Helm which details the CRR at what it does best, hauling coal! The book (which took 12 years to complete) gives a wonderful general history of the railroad, including information on both its steam and diesel fleet in the Appalachians and includes many pictures, and even interviews with former employees. The book has received excellent reviews thus far and if you have any interest in the Clinchfield or are interested in learning more about it you're sure to enjoy Mr. Helm's book.

Also consider Perfecting the American Steam Locomotive by author J. Parker Lamb. As the name implies the book details the earliest history of steam engine technology, even before it was used in railroad applications. His book later explores the development of steam locomotive technology in the United States from the 19th through the 20th centuries, covering not only the most popular steam locomotive designs but also the most successful manufactures to build them. The book has received excellent reviews and is a great resource on steam locomotives and a fine reference tool; you should find it very useful. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing either (or both) of these books please visit the links below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.

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