Planned Service to Western North Carolina

Western North Carolina Rail Operations & Station Right-of-Way Acquisition - April 2002 report
Western North Carolina Passenger Rail Study - March 2001 report
Plans unveiled for western North Carolina train service - news release 3-5-01

The North Carolina General Assembly in 2000 directed the North Carolina Department of Transportation to study the feasibility of providing passenger rail service to western North Carolina. The March 2001 Western North Carolina Passenger Rail Study, which updated a similar report from 1997, recommended a phased implementation for passenger service and outlined the costs associated with each phase, as well as criteria to measure service performance. During the course of the studies, the operation and number of freight trains in the corridor increased markedly as Norfolk Southern added and rerouted trains between Salisbury and Asheville.

In April 2002, the department submitted to the General Assembly a summary of costs to make necessary track and signal improvements to safely and efficiently accommodate the 37 existing freight trains and four proposed passenger trains. Based on the state's current financial status and cost of track improvements, the NCDOT has recommended delaying the start of passenger train service to western North Carolina. The delay could likely push the start date for train service back to 2008.

In the meantime, the NCDOT will continue to work with communities in western North Carolina to renovate historic stations that will incorporate other community uses. The department also will continue partnering with communities along the route to develop a program of safety improvements to prevent train-vehicle crashes at railroad crossings between Salisbury and Asheville.

Revised Schedule to Implement Passenger Train Service
PHASE 1
Acquire property and renovate 6 historic stations	2000-2003
Begin acquiring property for and rehabilitating stations in Statesville, Hickory, Morganton, Marion, Black Mountain and Old Fort. The renovated stations also will incorporate other community uses such as a visitors center, restaurant, bakery, police substation and museum. Architectural firms were selected in March 2002 to begin conceptual designs and construction drawings to renovate the historic stations.
Acquire property for stations in Asheville & Valdese	2002-2003
PHASE 2
Design two new stations and remodeling for one station	2003
Complete designs for new stations in Valdese and Asheville and renovation of Salisbury's station.
Begin negotiations with Norfolk Southern/Amtrak.............	postponed
The NCDOT and Amtrak must negotiate an operating agreement with Norfolk Southern, who owns the track, in order to use the railroad that runs between Salisbury and Asheville. These negotiations will begin once a decision is reached to make the infrastructure improvements.
Make needed track improvements.............	postponed
In March 2002, the NCDOT completed a study with Norfolk Southern Railway Corporation and The Woodside Consulting Group that identified and evaluated improvements needed to add passenger trains to the already busy stretch of railroad between Salisbury and Asheville. The study identified $134.7 million in necessary track and signal improvements to safely and efficiently accommodate the 37 existing freight trains and four proposed passenger trains. Work includes extending or building sidings to allow trains to pass each other along the single-track railroad, upgrading tracks and bridges to accommodate higher train speeds and installing train control signals to facilitate efficient train operations.
PHASE 3
Build platforms and make track improvements	postponed
Build boarding platforms and make necessary track improvements for the stations in Statesville, Hickory, Morganton, Marion, Old Fort, Black Mountain.
Construct stations for Asheville & Valdese	postponed
The NCDOT also will make station, track and platform improvements in Salisbury during this phase
PHASE 4
Secure equipment	postponed
Purchase a new locomotive and begin refurbishing used passenger train equipment including: two coaches, a baggage car, a food service/lounge car and a combination coach/baggage car. These railcars would operate as part of a pool of equipment - also used to provide daily Piedmont service.
Build maintenance facility in Spencer	postponed
Renovate an equipment maintenance facility at the Transportation Museum in Spencer to make moderate repairs and service the train.
PHASE 5
Recruit and train crews	postponed
Recruiting and training crews to operate the train is the final step before beginning passenger rail service
Operate passenger trains	postponed
Passenger train service would run between Salisbury and Asheville and connect to the Piedmont and Carolinian trains.