By Railfan & Railroad Staff
A North Carolina non-profit has signed an agreement with Norfolk Southern to purchase 31 miles of former Southern Railway right-of-way, including Saluda Grade, one of the steepest and most dangerous pieces of main line railroad in North America. The deal will mean the long-dormant rail line could soon become a trail — although the trail group is also exploring reopening a portion of it as an excursion railroad.
On August 5, Saluda Grade Trails Conservancy announced it was under contract to acquire the route, about a year after the idea to turn it into a trail was first presented. The planned Saluda Grade Trail will travel through Inman, Campobello, Landrum, Tryon, Saluda, and Zirconia. The trail will be open for walking, running, biking, birding, and other forms of outdoor recreation.
The line was built in the 1870s and was operated by Southern and Norfolk Southern until 2001. With a 5 percent grade, it was the steepest standard gauge main line railroad in the United States. While it seems unlikely that NS would ever want to use the route again considering the notable operating challenges associated with it, the groups have proposed “railbanking” the line, a process that allows the right-of-way to be turned into a trail but it could be turned back into an active rail line should the need ever arise. NS officials said they fully support the effort to turn it into a trail.
“At Norfolk Southern, we’re committed to helping the communities our rail network touches thrive. We appreciate the partnership from Saluda Grade Trails Conservancy and we look forward to seeing the conservancy’s plans come to fruition,” said Cliff Garner, of Norfolk Southern AVP Real Estate & Facility Services.
This month, Saluda Grade Trails Conservancy is expected to release a detailed plan to turn the line into a trail. It also announced that it was assessing the feasibility of managing a portion of the rail line in North Carolina as an excursion railroad, potentially offering scenic train rides alongside the trail.
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