Proposed Amtrak rail route could restore passenger trains to WNC

A proposed Amtrak rail route could bring thousands of passengers to Western North Carolina, reviving train travel for mountain towns such as Old Fort and making the journey part of the visit.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The proposal is presented as one element of a broader state rail plan that would expand passenger service across North Carolina. Supporters say it could boost tourism, create jobs, and reconnect communities with a railroad past that helped shape local identity.

Don’t miss…Amtrak Mardi Gras service shows Gulf Coast rail demand

Local tourism advocates say interest in visiting the region already exists, particularly from east of the mountains. Omi Salavea, marketing manager for Destination McDowell, said rail service could add another incentive by making travel part of the “whole experience” for people coming to Asheville or Old Fort, as described by WLOS News 13.

How the proposed Amtrak rail route could work?

A report attributed to the Institute for Transportation Research and North Carolina State University outlines three daily round-trips between Asheville and Salisbury, with News 13 saying it obtained a copy from the Western North Carolina Rail Committee. Supporters also point to the nostalgia tied to train travel, and Salavea said the “romanticism” around rail trips still exists in America and could appeal to visitors.

Salavea added that the line could support the “placemaking” rural towns are looking for—encouraging travelers to stop along the corridor, learn more about each destination, and connect those visits to the history of travel in Western North Carolina.

Costs, jobs, and what backers expect

The North Carolina Department of Transportation estimates the project would cost about $650 million, based on the reporting and figures cited by WLOS News 13.

The same report referenced in the story also states the line could create more than 300 jobs and generate an estimated $60 million in economic impact. Supporters cite those projections, but many residents describe the effort as about more than an economic boost—restoring a connection to the region’s railroad history for the community as well as for visitors.

Public comment window on North Carolina’s rail plan

NCDOT says the state rail plan is open for public comment through Jan. 20, 2026, as outlined in NCDOT Releases State Rail Plan for Public Comment. For broader context on how the state frames future passenger service, NCDOT also maintains an overview on its Future Passenger Services page.

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed: