Before the derailment, Norfolk Southern “was one of the worst railroads in the country, hands down,” said Cassity, who advocates for rail safety on behalf of union members across railroad ...

Josh Raglin, Norfolk Southern’s chief sustainability officer, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution the company’s data shows shipping via rail saves 70%-90% in emissions.

The rail yard has been a long time coming, with initial work started in 2008 by Palmetto Railways, a short-line railroad that's part of the S.C. Department of Commerce.

Norfolk Southern railway’s freight yard in Asheville was flooded by the French Broad River after the remnants of Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina.

With access to the line, state officials said, they could add passenger services to Norfolk Southern’s Cambria Yard station in Christiansburg, which served as a passenger terminal from 1904 to 1979.

Norfolk Southern railway’s freight yard in Asheville was flooded by the French Broad River after the remnants of Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina.