Editing Erwin, Tennessee (section)

===Railroads===
From 1890 to 2015 [[railroad operations]] contributed greatly to Erwin's economic and cultural identity.

The [[Charleston, Cincinnati and Chicago Railroad]] (the Triple C) was chartered in 1886 with its headquarters in Johnson City, Tennessee. Trains ran through Erwin in 1890, but by the end of the year, the company disbanded and all construction and operation ceased.

In 1893 the [[Ohio River and Charleston Railway]] (OR&C) purchased the assets of the Charleston Cincinnati & Chicago Railroad in receivership and attempted to complete and operate the line. It too failed and was placed in receivership.

In 1909 the [[Carolina, Clinchfield and Ohio Railway]] (CCO) was completed, running from [[Dante, Virginia]] to [[Spartanburg, South Carolina]], with its headquarters situated in Erwin. In 1915, this line was extended to [[Elkhorn City, Kentucky]], to connect with the [[Chesapeake and Ohio Railway]] (C&O). In 1924, its ownership and name was officially changed to the [[Clinchfield Railroad]] (CRR).

On Aug. 31, 1987 the C&O railroad merged into [[CSX Transportation]], which continued to maintain the Erwin rail yard. After acquiring 42% of [[Conrail]] in 1999, CSX became one of four major railroad systems in the nation and Erwin continued to host the rail yard, diesel shop, and car repair facility until 2015.