I have been seriously thinking of building a layout based on the East Tennese and Western North Carolina Railroad for well over a year now, however, I am largley in the dark when it comes to the important info from a modelling standpoint. I am looking for the track layouts of Johnson City, Elizabethton, and Cranberry, as these are the main locations that I intend to model. I am also interested where the railroads major customers were located, and how the railroad operated with these industries, and where the cargo from them was taken. can anyone provide me with a little insight in these aspects of the railroad?
The book Tweetsie Country by Malory Ferrell has a lot of what you’re looking for in it. Cranberry furnace and connections to logging roads. Perhaps the “cute” nickname (and modern theme park associated with it) make it seem less like a real railroad than the EBT or D&RG, but the it was a serious railroad for it’s era.
Did a quick google search with search terms:
+“East Tennessee” +“Western North Carolina” +Railroad
and scanned through a few pages - seems to be quite a bit of information about the “Tweetsie” available on the Net , too, in addition to the book recommended in the previous post.
Smile,
Stein
Hello “Trainguy,”
The Ferrell book is very nice, but it’s short on track layout illustrations. Jim Kelly’s “railroad you can model” article on the ET&WNC, “Tweetsie: Narrow gauge on the blue ridge,” in the July 1981 Model Railroader, p. 67, includes latter-day track layouts for Johnson City and Cranberry. The article also includes a track plan for a 9 x 10-foot HOn3 layout including Johnson City, Hampton, the Doe River Gorge, and Cranberry. The back issue is available on this website under “Shop,” and it includes foldout J. Harold Geissel scale drawings of ET&WNC engine 11, two gondola cars, a boxcar, and caboose no. 205.
So long,
Andy
thank you all for your input, especially Mr. Sperandeo. I will definatly have to order the issue, I am specifically interested in the section between johnson city and cranberry, including elizabethton and the dual gauge operation between there and johnson city, the doe river gorge, roan mountain, cranberry, the mines, the furnaces at johnson city, and the industries located along this part of the railroad
In addition to the Mal Ferrell book, I would also suggest Ghost Railroads of Tennessee by Elmer Sulzer, which devotes an entire chapter to the ET&WNC. This book has been re-issued, such that the original (expensive) version is not the only one out there. A listing of the railroad facilities at the various mileposts is included. Good coverage of the connecting Linville River RR is included.
Also, there is a DVD titled Tennessee Narrow Gauge available from A&R Productions. This is film from the final years of operation, showing 4-6-0 #9, but it helps to get a sense of the “flavor” of the line.
Bill
thanks for the suggestions, bill! when It comes to an era to model, I am most interested in the years just before, if not immediatly after the linville river section was washed out. It would give me an excuse not to model that part of the line, as I’m not too terribly interested in it. therefore, operations wise, the video might not help much. however, as you said, it will definatly give me the flavor of the line
Another great source of info on the ET&WNC is Johnny Graybeal’s books “Along the ET&WNC”. This is a six volume set of books that goes into great detail on the railroad, it’s locomotive, rolling stock, structures, track layout, and operations.
Here is a link to them:
one more question: where was ore from cranberry mines transported? my guess is the furnaces in Johnson city, I just need a little confirmation
Seems reasonable - a quick google search gives:
“A narrow-gauge railroad was constructed in 1882 to carry ore between the mine and the Cranberry Iron Works in Johnson City,Tennessee (Stuckey 1965)”
http://dlrides.smugmug.com/Travel/Cranberry-Iron-Mine-ET-WNC/6081875_tiHjA#381627089_mR6Yn
http://www.johnsonsdepot.com/tweetsie/index_et.htm
Btw - Cy Crumley scrapbook with stories and pics from the Tweetsie: http://www.johnsonsdepot.com/crumley/cyhome.htm
Smile,
Stein
thanks for all of the information guys! I just need the track diagram for Elizabethton, and I will be able to finalize the track plan
Mallory Hope Ferrell’s book is excellent if you can find a copy. Not just a “technical” book but also talks about the people and the area the railroad served.
BTW the Minnesota Twins had a farm team in Elizabethton for many years. Quite a few of their better known players came thru there, including (IIRC) one future Hall of Famer, Kirby Puckett.
I am starting a model of Johnson City an have found John Waite’s ‘Blue Ridge Stemwinder’ the most complete source of ET&WNC info I have ever deen. It includes complete track diagrams, Industries, locos and rolling atock, and a drtailed history of the raplroad.