The Old Fort Loops Reconstructed: A Lifeline Restored for Western North Carolina
After facing the wrath of Hurricane Helene, a significant section of the freight railway known as the Old Fort Loops has been rebuilt, reviving a crucial link for local businesses. This weekend marks a milestone as the first train since the devastation is set to pass through, a development that has stirred excitement among rail enthusiasts.
Spanning approximately 13 miles between Old Fort and Swannanoa, the Old Fort Loops is a challenging section of railway, ascending over 1,000 feet through the Blue Ridge Mountains. The damage from Helene was extensive, leaving many uncertain if Norfolk Southern, the railway’s owner, would undertake the reconstruction. Construction efforts commenced in May of last year, and now the railway is ready to welcome its first freight train since the storm struck.
Courtesy of Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern’s spokesperson, Heather Garcia, highlighted a pivotal phase in the restoration process, where a geometry car equipped with cutting-edge lasers, sensors, and cameras inspected the track’s alignment and surface conditions. “Using advanced lasers, sensors and cameras, NS’ geometry car inspects alignment, gauge, curvature and surface conditions while it travels over the rails, making sure the track is ready for the first train back,” Garcia explained via email.
Marion Mayor and rail historian Steve Little, who co-chairs the Western North Carolina Rail Committee, expressed his astonishment at the extent of the destruction when he first surveyed the damage post-Hurricane Helene. “I walked on some of them where there was a gap of — I’m estimating 20 feet of air below me,” Little shared in an interview with BPR. “And it had previously been dirt. It was completely sickening and devastating to see it that way.”
Advocates like Little view the Old Fort Loops as essential not only for the freight industry but also for future passenger rail services in the region. “This, once again, is life-changing — to have the prospect of passenger rail, giving us in Western North Carolina a level of freedom that we haven’t enjoyed since 1975,” Little stated.
Courtesy of Norfolk Southern
This historic rail section, constructed in the 1870s largely by incarcerated African American laborers, holds a significant place in history. On Saturday morning at 10 a.m., Little and others will gather at the Old Fort Depot to honor this legacy, anticipate future developments, and welcome the restored train service.
