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The first train to Asheville since Hurricane Helene. (Norfolk Southern Corp.)

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Now that freight trains are reaching Asheville, N.C., again, Norfolk Southern says it has turned its attention to restoring its tracks that connect the mountains with the rest of North Carolina.

The remnants of Hurricane Helene left Norfolk Southern’s line impassable from the base of the Blue Ridge through Asheville into Tennessee in late September 2024. Along the Swannanoa, French Broad and Pigeon rivers, the tracks were washed out or undermined in more than 100 places, requiring the company to rebuild 13 miles of its line between Asheville and Newport, Tenn.

The first train on that rebuilt section arrived in Asheville from the west before dawn on April 25. One of the final steps was completion in March of a new bridge to carry the tracks over the Pigeon River in Newport, replacing a 107-year-old steel-truss bridge that was destroyed by water and debris.

Now the company is focused on 16 miles of tracks east of Asheville, between Black Mountain and Old Fort. That part of the line tops the Eastern Continental Divide with a series of horseshoe turns through rugged terrain and was heavily damaged by landslides and wash outs.

For the first time since Hurricane Helene, customer freight is rolling again in Asheville! 🚂

This is the direct result of hard work, grit, and determination by Team NS — and a major milestone for these communities and the customers we serve.

Next, we’re committed to… — Norfolk Southern (@nscorp)

Not only does the Old Fort line connect to Norfolk Southern’s freight network in central and eastern North Carolina, but the N.C. Department of Transportation is studying that route for possible future passenger trains between Salisbury and Asheville.

Norfolk Southern says it expects to rebuild the Old Fort section by sometime this winter.

Helene knocked three railroads out of commission: Norfolk Southern, CSX and Blue Ridge Southern, a shortline railroad that serves businesses along routes through Hendersonville and Waynesville that connect to the outside world at Norfolk Southern’s yard in Asheville.

CSX, whose line through the mountains is a key link between the Southeast and Midwest, is still working to rebuild about 40 miles of tracks along the North Toe and Nolichucky rivers from Spruce Pine northwest into Tennessee. The flooded rivers washed out two bridges and miles of track in the steep, remote valley.

Among those happy to see freight trains return to Asheville is Underwood & Weld Co., a trucking company that relies on freight trains to help it deliver plastic resin and barley to customers in the Asheville area.

“Rail is a key part of how we move goods efficiently across the region,” operations manager Kevin McKinney said in a written statement. “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 return of freight trains to the mountains means railroad tracks that have been quiet for months are now in use again. That prompted Norfolk Southern to remind residents to stay alert around the tracks and not to walk on them.