The Clinchfield Number One

“’Spot” is the oldest regularly scheduled steam engine in the United States. The Number One was originally built by the Logansport, Indiana Shops of the Columbus, Cincinnati and Indiana Central Railroad in April 1882 and was released, with the number #423. It, through various ownerships, became Engine Number One on the old Black Mountain Railroad, (now the Yancey Railroad) in Western North Carolina and was called “Dynamite'” on that line. The engine is a type 4-6-0, Class G-7, with a boiler pressure of 125 pounds, a weight of 83,100 pounds and tender weight of 28,100 pounds. Restoration of the engine was completed in November of 1968 in the shops of the Clinchfield Railroad (former owner of the Old Black Mountain Line), Erwin, Tennessee and among its present day duties is the hauling, annually of the Clinchfield **Santa Claus Special** and the excursion trains on that line.

Above is a hand-drawn print courtesy of Elkhorn City Railroad Museum.

Clinchfield RR Track Crew (above)

All above photos are courtesy of Elkhorn City Railroad Museum.

Courtesy of Roy Owens.