Elizabethton in Carter County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Carter County's Train History

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 17, 2011

1. Carter County's Train History Marker

Inscription. Carter County’s railroad history is the story of three trains – the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina, better known as Tweetsie (1881-1951); the Southern Railroad (1911-1940); and the North American Rayon Steam Engine (1936-1992). The glory days of the railroads have ended, The memories are captured in this exhibit: an original Tweetsie boxcar, a Southern caboose, and the NAR Steam Engine, which was believed to be the last active steam locomotive in the United States in commercial use.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1A 123.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list.

Location. 36° 20.939′ N, 82° 12.464′ W. Marker is in Elizabethton, Tennessee, in Carter County. It can be reached from Veterans Memorial Parkway (U.S. 19E). The marker is located in the parking lot of the Elizabethton-Carter County Chamber of Commerce. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Elizabethton TN 37643, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee

and in the Tri-Cities Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

the State of Franklin,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Samuel Powhatan Carter (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fraser Fir

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(about 600 feet away); Captain Lynne Folsom House (about 600 feet away); St Thomas Episcopal Church (about 700 feet away); You Are Not Forgotten (about 800 feet away); Carter County Courthouse (about 800 feet away); Watauga Old Fields (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named Samuel P. Carter (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elizabethton.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Samuel P. Carter (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study the marker shown.

Wide view of the Carter County's Train History Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 17, 2011

2. Wide view of the Carter County's Train History Marker

The NAR Steam Engine, an original Tweetsie boxcar, and Southern caboose sit on display next to the marker at the Elizabethton-Carter County Chamber of Commerce.

North American Rayon Porter Fireless 0-6-0 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 17, 2011

3. North American Rayon Porter Fireless 0-6-0

One of the last steam-powered locomotive in commercial use, now restored for display.

Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad wooden narrow gauge box car image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 17, 2011

4. Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad wooden narrow gauge box car

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,144 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 26, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on August 28, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.