The most interesting and challenging feature of this railroad
is the Cumberland Mountain Pusher District at Cowan to Sherwood,
TN. This tunnel and approaches from both ends are amazing
to operate on a day-to-day basis, and even more amazing to
know they were laid out on horseback in 1849. Virtually unchanged
today, the CSX RR still operates the pusher district and
treats it with the respect it deserves.
The depot at Cowan has been moved across the tracks and
set back away from the main line -- that Depot is now used
as a RR museum and displays several pieces of rolling stock,
including an unusual steam locomotive and an NC bay-window
caboose.
Video of Cumberland Mountain Tunnel circa 1958 (Courtesy of
David Brock) |