Railroads once knit North Carolina’s small towns and big cities into thriving hubs of commerce, culture, and opportunity. That history is still visible in the stations and communities shaped by passenger rail.
Today, with new investments and record ridership, North Carolina is reclaiming its place as a leader in intercity passenger rail across the Southeast and the nation. The story of where we’ve been is the foundation for where we’re going.
The Wilmington & Raleigh Railroad— chartered in 1834 and completed in 1840—formed one of the earliest passenger corridors in the state
In 1849, the North Carolina Railroad was chartered to connect Charlotte, Salisbury, and Raleigh, laying the groundwork for statewide rail infrastructure
These early lines spurred new cities industries, and small towns across NC, establishing rail as a core driver of growth
From the mid 1800s-1870s, railroads in North Carolina were built with great human cost. Enslaved people, convict laborers, and formerly enslaved individuals endured forced work, dangerous conditions, and tragic loss of life. This history matters because recognizing it helps us build a more just future as NC expands passenger rail today.
Despite early successes, many passenger routes dwindled post-World War II when the emphasis shifted to developing North Carolina’s highway network. Mountainous regions like Asheville lost service by 1975, while Wilmington lost service by 1968.
The state experienced widespread rail line abandonment, hampering future regional connectivity
Carolinian launch (1990): After a running briefly from 1984-1985, NCDOT officially launched the service that still connects Charlotte to New York City today, marking the first new state-supported Amtrak route in decades.
Piedmont service (1995): A Raleigh-Charlotte regional train funded and operated by NCDOT, expanding to four-now five-daily round trips due to high demand
NC By Train brand: NCDOT’s passenger rail division now markets both services under this umbrella for unified branding and public outreach
Ridership growth: Intercity passenger rail usage in NC reached over 720,000 in 2024—a 55% increase over 2019— demonstrating renewed public demand
North Carolina’s rail story is far from finished. With new federal investments and strong bipartisan support, we are poised to expand passenger rail like never before. From the mountains to the coast, communities will be reconnected, small towns revitalized, and our state positioned as a national leader on passenger rail.