Despite Helene's Impact, Passenger Rail Plans Stay on Track in Western North Carolina

Despite the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Helene to western North Carolina's rail infrastructure, Norfolk Southern's commitment to reopening freight lines by March 2025 and NCDOT's continued prioritization of the Asheville-Salisbury route in the Corridor ID program keep the region's passenger rail dreams alive, though $400,000 in local matching funds must be secured by July 2025. (Photo by Charles Delano/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

OLD FORT—The September morning frost turned to steam as Norfolk Southern workers surveyed the damage along Old Fort's historic rail line. Tree trunks the size of cars rested heavily on the tracks, and sections of rail dangled precariously over Mill Creek—stark reminders of Hurricane Helene's devastating visit to western North Carolina.

While the scene was incredibly disheartening, recent announcements from Norfolk Southern and the North Carolina Department of Transportation give us reason for continued optimism about the future of passenger rail in our region, as reported by The Citizen Times Wednesday morning.

Norfolk Southern has now provided a clear timeline for reopening their freight lines in western North Carolina.

The company expects to restore service from Newport, Tennessee, through Asheville to Grovestone in Swannanoa by March 31, 2025. This includes the crucial lines through Marshall and Hot Springs that were particularly hard hit by the storm. The scale of the damage was significant—4 miles of rails washed away completely, over 9 miles damaged by scour, and 3 miles affected by mudslides and fill failures.

"We know how many community members are waiting for the line to reopen," says Norfolk Southern VP Engineering Ed Boyle, "and our teams have been working tirelessly since Sept. 27 to restore the service needed to help rebuild the local economy."

This commitment to restoration is crucial for our region's transportation future.

The iconic Old Fort Loops—that engineering marvel that helped trains climb the steep grade of the Blue Ridge escarpment for over a century—remain under assessment. This stretch of track is particularly important to our community's vision, as it's part of the proposed Asheville-to-Salisbury passenger route under the U.S. Department of Transportation's Corridor ID program.

But here's the encouraging news: Jason Orthner, NCDOT Rail Division Director, confirms that our Asheville-Salisbury route remains the "most advanced" of North Carolina's seven proposed passenger rail corridors. Speaking at a recent WNC Rail Committee meeting, Orthner emphasized that reopening rail lines across Western North Carolina isn't a question of if, but when.

The NCDOT remains committed to keeping its "foot on the gas" in advocating for funding.

Ray Rapp, co-chair of the WNC Rail Committee and former NC General Assembly member, shares our optimism. Despite Helene's setbacks, the return of passenger rail service—absent from our region since 1975—continues to move forward. The current timeline projects service beginning by 2035, but much depends on securing the required $400,000 in local or state matching funds by July 1, 2025, to maintain our place in the Corridor ID program.

(Jason Orthner and Ray Rapp also recently spoke at our 2024 Drinks at the Depot.)

This moment presents both challenges and opportunities for our community.

While Norfolk Southern works to repair the physical infrastructure, we must come together to secure the funding that will keep our passenger rail dreams on track. The restoration work happening now isn't just about fixing what Helene damaged—it's about building the foundation for a more connected future.

We've seen time and again how our community rises to meet challenges.

Every challenge overcome brings us closer to the day when we can once again board a train in Asheville, Marion, Morganton, Hickory—or elsewhere along the line—and connect with the rest of North Carolina by rail.

As we watch Norfolk Southern's restoration work progress and continue our advocacy for passenger rail funding, we're reminded that great achievements often face setbacks along the way. But just as the morning frost gives way to steam along the tracks near Old Fort, these challenges will yield to the warmth of community determination and support.

Want to help keep our passenger rail dreams on track?

Contact your local representatives about supporting the matching funds needed for the Corridor ID program. Together, we can ensure that Helene's impact becomes just another chapter in the long story of passenger rail service in western North Carolina—not the end of the line.