After retrieving a single Asphalt tank from the Norfolk Southern interchange, KXHR 9 rolls deep into the heart of South Knoxville with Rick at the throttle and Austin riding shotgun. The rare Knoxville and Holston River Railroad move which ran today for the first time in a year, utilizes just over 4 miles of seldom used former Southern Railway branchline trackage. The stub end ‘K-line’ was laid originally for logging and quarry operations, with one of the quarry pits—Meads Quarry, now part of a local nature preserve (just out of frame to the right). KXHR SW600 no. 9, “Engine Engine Number 9”, was built in 1954 as McClouth Steel 9 and would pass through multiple short line and industrial owners before arriving at the Knoxville and Holston. Despite being exhiled to the south waterfront for use on rare K-line asphalt runs, number 9 has had a slightly more colorful life on the north waterfront, previously working for KXHR’s passengers operation, the Three Rivers Rambler, before being shipped across the river and placed in its current roll. As a note—KXHR 9 is now one of only two surviving SW600 type switchers left, being one of only 15 ever produced by EMD.
