This view shows the vandalized Yancey Railroad bridge, just beyond the location of the junction with the Clinchfield (now CSX) at Kona.
The signal mast in the foreground is still in use by CSX.
Photo courtesy Miss S. M. Stainback (Lightning Bolt 38).
The Yancey Railroad was a shortline that connected with the Clinchfield at Kona, NC. The Yancey served the towns of Bacchus, Micaville (junction), Bowditch, Windom and Burnsville.
The Yancey was previously known as the Black Mountain, and the line to Burnsville previouly extended to Eskota.
This line was abandoned after the bridge piers were damaged during a flood in 1977. There was later some interest in reopening the line by a new owner, but those plans were put on hold after the track and bridge were vandalized.
A real estate developer intent on building a fishing resort in the area worked with some other individuals to bulldoze some track into the Toe River and further damage the bridge. The dispute has been taken to court.
For more pictures of this bridge, click here.
