ET&WNC Railroad at Doe River Gorge (History)

A History of the ET&WNC Railroad at Doe River Gorge 

ET&WNC #16 Paused at Pardee Point during the short narration stop, October of 2024

In 1882 the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad made it first trips through the Doe River Gorge. Construction of the railroad had started in the 1870s but the previous owners ran out of money before the first spikes could be driven in the gorge. In 1880 Ario Pardee, builder of the East Broad Top Railroad in Pennsylvania took ownership of the Cranberry Iron Mines and the railroad. He knew from building the EBT that narrow gauge would be a more cost effective means of connecting the Iron Mines at Cranberry North Carolina with the East Tennesee and Virginia Railroad in Johnson City, TN. After two years and over a million dollars the ET&WNC Railroad was completed. With the three mile portion through the Doe River Gorge taking one third of the total cost of construction. The Doe River Gorge was also known as the most scenic portion of the line, and was used heavily in advertising the line's passenger trains. 

ET&WNC #3 One of the line's earliest steam locomotives in the late 1800's (from the Cy Crumley Scrapbook)

The ET&WNC Railroad became the lifeline of the isolated mountain communities along it's route. The railroad was the easiest, and most effective way to access The Blue Ridge Mountains. It was also one of the largest employers in the region. Every family in the area had someone who worked for the old stemwinder including my own.

A "Section gang" tasked with maintaining the railroad from Elk Park, NC. Several of these men are relatives of mine. 

 In 1919 The ET&WNC Railroad acquired it's own subsidiary line the "Linville River Railway" That connected Cranberry, NC to the rich timberlands in Linville, NC. The Railroad was soon extended to Boone. Passenger and freight trains ran daily between Johnson City and Boone from 1919 until 1940 when a large flood hit the North Carolina Mountains, destroying the Linville River Railway. The line now shortened back to it's original length from Johnson City to Cranberry was in dire straits.

ET&WNC Railroad crew posed with Locomotive #14 in Newland, NC. (Photo from the Cy Crumley Scrapbook)

World War II kept helped the railroad keep afloat for a time. The North American Rayon Corporation in Elizebethton, TN. Was manufacturing textiles to be used for the war effort. Including the parachutes that would be used during the allied invasion of Europe. The ET&WNC Railroad worked around the clock hauling freight and passenger trains for the war effort. Including a special commuter service that transported workers from the hollars of Avery County NC to the Rayon plants in Elizebethton. In between shifts at the Rayon Plant the trains would also run a special service transporting High School students. The little line was known for it's generosity, friendly crews, and letting folks ride for free using the logic that "They were heading that way anyhow". It was for this reason that the ET&WNC became known as "Railroad with a heart". 

Conductor Cy Crumley, the man who through his kindness, generosity, and a specially made ticket punch. 

made the ET&WNC "The Railroad with a heart".

However, after V/E Day, the little narrow gauge line's fortunes changed again. This time the hard times would prove to be terminal. The Railroad which was once the most modern narrow gauge railroad in the country. With it's sleek all steel passenger trains, grand Azelea parlor car, grunting 80 ton Baldwin ten wheeler steam locomotives, and even the first ever "Piggy Back" freight service hauling road trailers on flat cars. Was in it's final days reduced to the occasional freight train with only one semi-operable locomotive hauling raw materials for the North Carolina Highway Department to build the roads into the mountains that would replace it.

October, 16 of 1950, The last train ran through the Doe River Gorge carrying with it almost 70 years of railroading heritage. 

October, 16 1950. The orders being given for the last run of the Narrow Gauge ET&WNC. 

(Photo from the Cy Crumley Scrapbook)

Hillbilly World

In the 1960s a New Railroad would be re-laid through this gorge, however this train didn't haul freight. 

A group of Kingsport businessmen decided to take advantage of the theme park craze in the 1960s. They turned the Doe River Gorge and surrounding property into a theme park that went by many different names, the most creative of which was the name "Hillbilly World." The star attraction of the Hillbilly World theme park was a small 18 ton Vulcan Iron Works 0-4-0 that they had numbered #101

The Little #101 had been restored by Marion Machine Works, however "Restored" is not quite the best word to describe the resulting locomotive. As one old timer put it, "The 101 couldn't heat enough water to cook a hotdog." The little engine frequently required assistance from a GE 25 Ton Diesel locomotive to help push the excursion trains from the rear. Hillbilly world did provide one final "Hurrah" For some of the old ET&WNC crews running the little steamer up and down a three mile track. Complete with a Family Feud shoot out. However the Hillbilly World theme park did not last long, and also shut down in the late 1970s. 

Hillbilly World Theme Park #101 

The old Hillbilly World Theme Park train ride through the Doe River Gorge

Sharing The Adventure! 

In 1988 Doe River Gorge Ministries was created with the goal of establishing a summer camp and retreat center in the remains of the old Hillbilly World theme park. Park buildings were repurposed, The old excursion cars were renovated to be used as storage for camp equipment. The facility was able to keep something resembling an old railroad theme. Folks could even hike the remnants of the old railroad grade. However the sound of a train echoing through the gorge was definitely missing from the equation. A chance meeting between two men would change the future of this little railroad. Rev Phil Raynes, who was an avid railfan and railroad preservation volunteer went hiking in the Doe River Gorge in the 1990s. Where he met fellow railfan Mark Milbourne who was a staff member with the camp. Phil and Mark shared the notion that it would be a fine thing to see the rails brought back to life through the Doe River Gorge. 

Rev Phil Raynes on the right, Mark Milbourne on the left. The two men without which none of this would have been possible.

(Photo Sourced from Phil Raynes)

Together they began rebuilding the track one rotted crosstie at a time. Until finally in 2000, the whistle of a steam locomotive could be heard echoing off the rock walls once more. Today the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad at Doe River Gorge has become an essential component of camp activities. Transporting campers to up and down the gorge, as well as providing train rides to the public during DayQuest Saturdays, and other special events throughout the year. Today the ET&WNC Railroad is all about taking people on new and exciting adventures, all the while learning more about life's greatest adventure. 

Modern day ET&WNC Crew Members in March of 2024, On the left is Engineer Benjamin Merritt, and on the right is Conductor R.W. Fay

All Aboard The Christmas Train

In 2015 something new would arrive at Doe River Gorge.

A 1967 Crown Metal Products steam locomotive. The new locomotive was rescued from the Huntsville Depot Museum in Huntsville Alabama. Doe River Gorge was intending to rebuild "The Crown" To be able to run a Christmas Train event at the camp. On board the train, passengers would be taken back through the pages of the bible on a train ride fueled by steam and imagination. As they would learn the true meaning for the season of Christmas. The "Christmas Train Project" as it was known was inspired by a trip made by Doe River Gorge leadership to The Camp Dry Gulch property in Oklahoma. Where through live actors and sets they made the story of the Nativity come to life.  

Later on the folks at Camp Dry Gulch near Tulsa Oklahoma were looking to get out of the railroad business, and sold their entire railroad to Doe River Gorge. All of a sudden the reborn ET&WNC had three steam locomotives, and 13 cars. Today Volunteers are coming in from all over the United States to work towards the completion of the Christmas Train project. Doe River Gorge has not yet announced dates for the event. However they are planning on The Christmas Train leaving the station in 2025!

Expansion needed for the Doe River Gorge Christmas train includes a four track yard, three stall enginehouse, a wye track, and a 1 1/2 mile loop around the old horse pasture on the camp property. Which will all be connected to the original ET&WNC Line headed up the gorge.

Today the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad is a living testament to how even in unlikely circumstances,  ALL THINGS can be made new again!

Tender of ET&WNC #15

Other great websites to visit to learn more about the ET&WNC Railroad

The Cy Crumley Scrapbook, a Carefully curated photo collection by ET&WNC Historian, Volunteer, Ken Riddle

http://www.stateoffranklin.net/johnsons/crumley/cyhome.htm

The Modern ET&WNC Photo Album created by ET&WNC Historical Society Member Chris Ford

http://cfordart.com/photoalbum/