For the first time since the September 2024 devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, freight rail service has returned for Asheville, N.C.-area businesses and points west along Norfolk Southern’s AS Line (Knoxville District River Line), which connects Eastern Tennessee to Western North Carolina. Service restoration “marks a major milestone in the region’s recovery and economic growth,” NS reported on May 20.
Service restoration resulted from six months of work to repair and restore track infrastructure that was, in some locations, completely destroyed by hurricane-related flooding. In total, NS Engineering teams rebuilt 128 locations totaling more than 13 miles of track between Newport, Tenn. and Asheville, utilized more than 160,000 tons of aggregate materials and cleared more than 2,000 trees. NS noted the 100% privately funded restoration, “reflects our commitment to the region’s economic recovery.
Service restoration follows the replacement of the Pigeon River Bridge (video below) in Newport, Tenn. in March. The bridge was destroyed after significant flooding in the wake of the hurricane, “requiring a rapid bridge replacement that reestablished a critical link on the line,” NS said. The railroad worked with HDR Inc. on the new structure.
The return of rail to the region also enables the restoration of service on 92 miles of short line railroad in the area. Watco’s Blue Ridge Southern Railroad, which has served businesses in the area for more than 10 years, feeds into NS’s AS Line and broader network from the south and southwest of Asheville, connecting through Norfolk Southern’s Asheville Yard.
“Our team has worked closely with Norfolk Southern to ensure that this transition happens as smoothly as possible,” said Kyle Ogle, General Manager. “This will not only help our local customers, but it will also enhance the region’s connectivity and economic competitiveness, and we’re thrilled to be able to welcome these businesses back.”
“This is a day so many of us, both at Norfolk Southern and beyond, have been looking forward to, and I want to credit all of our NS teammates and our partners that played a role in getting this track back in service so quickly despite unprecedented damage,” said Norfolk Southern Vice President Engineering Ed Boyle. “We know firsthand how critical rail service is for local communities, and we’re proud to restore this vital link for businesses and mark this important step in the region’s economic recovery.”
“The return of freight rail service to the Asheville region is something so many have been looking forward to as we continue to recover from the impacts of the storm,” said Jason Orthner, NCDOT Rail Division Director. “A critical component to a strong economy, freight rail is crucial to the growth and prosperity of many of the businesses that call this region home and NCDOT appreciates Norfolk Southern’s efforts to restore service to Western North Carolina.”
Underwood & Weld Co., Inc. is one of several Western North Carolina businesses that rely on freight rail for sustainable, cost-effective transportation. “We are thrilled to see freight rail service back in Asheville. Rail is a key part of how we move goods efficiently across the region,” said Underwood & Weld Operations Manager Kevin McKinney. “This is more than a return to normalcy, it’s a huge step in ensuring the resiliency of our business in the long term.”
“The restoration and return of freight rail service marks a major milestone for Asheville’s economic recovery, reestablishing a vital connection that supports local businesses,” echoed Ivan Stiehl, Vice President Project Engineering at IPEX. “We applaud NS and its dedicated teams for their swift repair work and are grateful to have this critical element of supply chain back and operational.”
NS added it is committing to rebuilding the portion of the line that connects Old Fort to Grovestone, including the historic Old Fort Loops. The 16 miles of railroad was severely damaged by the hurricane and resulting floods. Until now, the railroad had been conducting an extended evaluation of line damage for restoration. The line rebuild is expected to be completed this winter.
