NS Restores Service to Asheville, Launches New Community Disaster Relief Grant Program

The line between Asheville and Newport was among the hardest hit, according to NS, where remote terrain, heavy flooding, and mountain conditions wiped out entire stretches of the track.

“Thanks to the relentless work of our railroaders, this train rolling is a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come,” NS said in the post.

“This couldn’t have happened without the dedication of our railroaders who have taken great pride in restoring service to Asheville. Their hard work and commitment were not only vital to our recovery but also to this community that many of them call home,” said NS COO John Orr.

Recovery efforts are still under way, but this progress “speaks volumes about the resilience, determination, and grit of Team NS,” the Class I said.

In related news, to support communities impacted by storms in early April along a 1,000-mile-long strip in the south and Midwest, NS has launched a new Community Disaster Relief Grant Program.

Through this program, NS will provide up to $250,000 to nonprofits that are assisting residents in the Class I’s operating areas affected by the recent weather event. Nonprofits are encouraged to apply by submitting how they are responding to the storm.

The program will be available as needed to allow NS to quickly provide financial support to its communities. Nonprofits can apply here.

To support its employees, the NS Employee Hardship Program also provides grants to cover short-term evacuations or long-term damage repairs.

To support its customers, NS says it has prepositioned crews, equipment, and materials in strategic locations to respond to the storm. NS teams are coordinating across affected regions to safely restore service and maintain fluidity for the Class I’s customers.