ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Trains are moving again in Western North Carolina. For the first time since Tropical Storm Helene devastated the region in September 2024, freight rail service has resumed for Asheville-area businesses, marking a key milestone in the region’s recovery and economic revitalization.
Norfolk Southern Corp. has restored freight rail service between Asheville and points west along its AS Line, which connects eastern Tennessee to Western North Carolina. The return follows six months of work by Norfolk Southern crews to repair track infrastructure that was heavily damaged or destroyed by flooding caused by the storm, the company said Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
Engineering teams rebuilt 128 locations spanning more than 13 miles of track between Newport, Tennessee, and Asheville, the railroad said in a news release. Crews used more than 160,000 tons of aggregate materials and cleared more than 2,000 downed trees. The restoration effort, all privately funded, underscores Norfolk Southern’s commitment to supporting the area’s economic recovery.
The company also announced plans to rebuild the section of the AS Line between Old Fort and Grovestone, including the historic Old Fort Loops. That 16-mile segment suffered severe damage during the storm and subsequent flooding. After months of assessing the extent of the damage, Norfolk Southern said it expects to complete the rebuild this winter.
“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,” Norfolk Southern Vice President of Engineering Ed Boyle said in the release. “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.”
“Restoring freight rail service to Asheville is a positive step towards getting western North Carolina back on its feet and reconnected economically,” North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein said in the release. “This development will help businesses regain their livelihoods and strengthen our supply chain so that western North Carolina can build back stronger.”