Norfolk Southern’s railroad line that connects Old Fort to Black Mountain and westward to Asheville has been closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene since late September. The reopening of the railroad will be delayed a little longer.
The major freight railroad recently announced an update on the efforts to restore the former Southern Railway line in western North Carolina that was heavily damaged by Hurricane Helene.
This photo from early October shows the condition of a section of railroad track along Commerce Street in Old Fort.
“With recovery work now underway, Norfolk Southern is adjusting the projected reopening timeline for the company’s AS Line, which travels through western North Carolina and into Tennessee, regions heavily impacted by September’s Hurricane Helene,†Norfolk Southern said in a news release. “The section of track running east from Newport, Tenn., through Asheville, to Grovestone, N.C., is now projected to reopen March 31, 2025.
“The portion of the line that runs between Grovestone and Old Fort remains under assessment.â€
People are also reading…
This map from Norfolk Southern Railroad shows the current status of its rail line in western North Carolina that was impacted by Helene. The portion of the line that runs between Grovestone, in Buncombe, and Old Fort, including the famous Loops, remains under assessment.
The rail line between Old Fort and Salisbury has been restored to operation.
In the rail line between Old Fort and the Black Mountain area, sections of track were washed away by Hurricane Helene and there are other places where the ground has washed out from under the track, leaving it hanging in mid-air.
In the rail line between Old Fort and Ridgecrest, sections of track were washed away by Hurricane Helene and in some areas the ground has washed out and the track is hanging in mid-air. This photo was taken in early October between Old Fort and Andrews Geyser.
The Old Fort Loops section, where the railroad winds its way up and down the mountains, goes through a series of tunnels and around the Andrews Geyser landmark.
The news release from Norfolk Southern does not state when the Old Fort Loops will operate again.
After Hurricane Helene hit the area in late September, hundreds of railroaders from Norfolk Southern responded, Norfolk Southern said in the release. Teams reopened all core routes affected by the storm within 72 hours, clearing more than 15,000 trees, using 400+ generators and repairing multiple washouts, according to the news release.
The restoration of service in and out of Asheville will mark a major milestone in recovery, Norfolk Southern said. In addition to providing rail service for numerous businesses in the area, the line also serves as a connection for the Blue Ridge Southern Railroad, a local short line railroad that serves businesses in the Hendersonville and Waynesville areas, according to the news release.
This map from Norfolk Southern Railroad shows the current status of its rail line in western North Carolina that was impacted by Helene. The portion of the line that runs between Grovestone, in Buncombe, and Old Fort, including the famous Loops, remains under assessment.
“There is no doubt the important role this line plays in supporting the people and businesses that call western North Carolina home,†Norfolk Southern Vice President of Engineering Ed Boyle said. “We know how many community members are waiting for the line to reopen, and our teams have been working tirelessly since Sept. 27 to restore the service needed to help rebuild the local economy.â€
In addition to working to expedite track restoration work, the company is also working on starting additional transload facilities in the region, where products is transferred on or off trains to move them where railroad is unavailable.
This part of Commerce Street in Old Fort was washed away by Hurricane Helene in early October.
“We know how critical having that rail connection is to so many of the industries that operate in this region, and we cannot thank our customers enough for their continued patience and support as we work to restore service,†said Norfolk Southern Vice President of Business Development and First and Final Mile Markets Stefan Loeb.
Land washed out beneath a railroad track.
There is no opening date for the railroad between Old Fort and Black Mountain. This photo was taken in early October.
