We Are a Citizen’s Group Working to Bring Passenger Rail Back to Western North Carolina

How We Got Started:

Passenger train service was discontinued to Burke County in the 1970s. Barbara Lynam and Mimi Phifer loved hearing the whistle of the freight train at night from their homes on Morehead Street in Morganton, and spoke longingly of the days when they could ride the train.

When they heard about the possibility of passenger rail returning to western North Carolina, they formed Waiting For The Train, a group dedicated to working with all the communities along the line to help make that a reality.

It’s clear: Passenger rail is essential to western North Carolina, both for the health of our economy and for the preservation of our natural beauty.

Meet the Team

Mimi Phifer

CO-FOUNDER
I was born and raised here in Morganton and went off to school when I was 18. My father always said you needed to leave town, see the world, learn something, and bring what you learned back home to help out. I stayed away as long as I could but eventually the lure of the hills of home became irresistible. I’m back now hoping to help out and bring passenger rail back to Morganton.
Barbara Wetsig-Lynam

CO-FOUNDER
Barbara grew up down the road in Lincoln County. After graduating from Duke, she explored other parts of the US and the world through her work in international relief and sustainable community development. During those years abroad she developed an appreciation for passenger trains.
Whether traveling with her young children, or for work, she enjoyed the convenience and extra time train travel afforded her to play with her kids, read a book, or tackle some work.
Seth Collings Hawkins

BOARD MEMBER
Seth is a physician and anthropologist living in the North Carolina foothills. He believes passenger rail has compelling public health and cultural benefits for our community and is excited to help make these a reality.
Jeffrey Howard

BOARD MEMBER
Jeffrey first became enamored with passenger rail while riding trains through the countryside during his time studying philosophy and literature in England. He views passenger rail as an essential vehicle for a more sustainable and egalitarian future.
He is a journalist and writer with more than 15 years of digital marketing experience. He looks forward to taking regular trips from Morganton’s Historic Train Depot.
Aaron Kohrs

BOARD MEMBER

Aaron is a homegrown western North Carolinian who graduated from St. Stephens High School in Hickory. Though he currently resides outside of Washington, D.C., for professional interests, Aaron frequents WNC to visit his family, friends, and home community.

He has worked for government agencies as an educator and built engaging programs for public audiences that involved elected officials. He loves to partner with public leaders to do good, either in the civic square or behind-the-scenes. His love for passenger rail started in Europe where he once studied and lived.
Jane Moody

BOARD MEMBER
Jane is originally from Georgia but has lived in NC for over 30 years. She graduated from the University of Georgia and has been a CPA for over 40 years. She lives in Morganton with her husband, Rick, where she is involved in the First Baptist Church of Morganton. They have 5 children and 17 grandchildren. They enjoy visiting with family, RVing and riding on scenic heritage trains when traveling.
Henry Beall

TEENS FOR THE TRAIN FOUNDER
Henry is a senior at Freedom High School. He believes it is extremely important that the youth in our community are allowed to have a say and help, which is why he started Teens For The Train.
Phifer Crute

LOGO DESIGNER
Phifer lives in California, but is a North Carolina native with family lineage that ties her to Morganton. She is the adoring (and adorable) niece of Mimi, and was delighted to be asked to participate in this project by designing a logo.