North Carolina Railroad
Encyclopedia
The North Carolina Railroad (NCRR) is a 317 miles (510.2 km) state-owned rail corridor extending from Morehead City, North Carolina
to Charlotte, North Carolina
. The railroad carries over seventy freight trains and eight passenger trains daily. It is managed by the North Carolina Railroad Company.
authorized a railroad that would connect the eastern part of the state with the piedmont. NC Senate President Calvin Graves cast the deciding vote, ensuring the railroad would be built, but ending his political career because it would not pass through his district. In 1851 Senator Graves was given the honor of lifting the first shovel of dirt as construction of the railroad began in Greensboro
. Three years later, in 1854, the railroad's first president, businessman John Motley Morehead
, dubbed the rail line "the tree of life" for the state. By 1856 the first train traveled along the entire route, from Goldsboro
to Charlotte.
In 1858 the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad was completed, opening 96 miles (154.5 km) of rail between Goldsboro and Shepard's Point, now Morehead City. Efforts to consolidate the Atlantic and North Carolina with the NCRR were initiated in 1866, but it would take until 1989 to complete the merger and consolidate the railroads from Morehead City to Charlotte.
In 1895 the North Carolina Railroad was leased to Southern Railway Company
(later Norfolk Southern) for a 99 year period. Southern Railway/Norfolk Southern retained control of the railroad until 1999, when NCRR and Norfolk Southern reached an exclusive Trackage Rights Agreement
for Norfolk Southern’s continuing freight and maintenance operations on the NCRR line for 15 years, renewable for an additional 30 years.
One year prior to the establishment of this new lease with Norfolk Southern, in 1998, the State of North Carolina agreed to buy out the remaining 25% private shares of NCRR stock, making it a privately run company, with the voting stock fully owned by the state. In 2000, the General Assembly established by statute that North Carolina Railroad Company revenues are to be used for improvements to the NCRR line. A year later, the implementation of a Corridor Improvement Program that serves as the blueprint for upgrading the railroad was put into place and the first projects, $10 million worth of improvements along the corridor between Goldsboro and Morehead City, were completed. That same year the North Carolina Railroad Company approved a contract with Norfolk Southern and the North Carolina Department of Transportation to complete $30 million of improvements that would eliminate 20 minutes of daily passenger travel time between Raleigh
and Charlotte in a double tracking project near Greensboro. NCRR's corporate capital improvement program is funded from NCRR capital funds generated through its freight agreement with Norfolk Southern. NCRR does not receive any state appopriations, and its properties are subject to North Carolina city and county property taxes, most but not all of which are paid by Norfolk Southern under the agreements.
Also in 2001 a corridor upgrade between Raleigh and Selma
was completed, allowing for an increase in speed on the rail from 49 to 59 miles per hour (79 to 95 km/h). Two years later, in 2003, the Neuse River Bridge in Kinston
was replaced. It was the first bridge completed through the Corridor Improvement Program. This nearly 100-year old structure developed a large crack in the east abutment after Hurricane Floyd
, making it unsafe for further use. The new bridge is designed to carry the faster, heavier cars that are common on today’s freight routes. In May 2006, a new bridge over Highway 54 in Research Triangle Park
was completed to replace the old single track
bridge that had substandard clearance and, because of its narrowness, caused a significant bottleneck on Highway 54. The new bridge is double-tracked to increase train capacity and speed. The improvements will allow traffic to flow smoothly and safely on the road below while allowing both freight and passenger trains to move along the corridor.
over eight miles and centralized traffic control between Raleigh and Selma (30 miles) in order to increase capacity for both freight and passenger trains. The Company is also replacing several other bridges along the corridor to improve safety, efficiency, and speed. Other improvements made by the NCRR since 2001 include rail and bridge upgrades between Raleigh and Morehead City, NC at a cost in excess of $60 million. In 2010, the Company completed commuter rail investment and ridership studies for the segments between Goldsboro and Greensboro, through Raleigh.
Beginning in 2008, the North Carolina Railroad Company is working with the North Carolina Department of Transportation
and Norfolk Southern to improve crossing safety on the eastern portion of the line by upgrading gates and crossing signals. The Company is also working with these parties to add or replace double track
between Charlotte and Raleigh in an initiative to extend higher speed passenger rail south to Charlotte from Washington via Richmond, Virginia.
The North Carolina Railroad was instrumental in encouraging the economic development of North Carolina in the 19th century, helping to define new markets, new industries, and new cities and today NCRR continues to contribute to the state’s economy. The North Carolina Railroad carries over one million carloads of freight each year and about 300,000 passengers. Based on a 2007 study by the Research Triangle Institute, the North Carolina Railroad saves North Carolina industries $198 million in transportation costs annually, and the total impact on North Carolina economic output is $338 million annually. In 2005, in counties bordering NCRR tracks, industries using rail freight services accounted for $143 billion in output, more than 24% of North Carolina’s total economy. NCRR freight transportation also has environmental benefits, conveying $65.7 million in external benefits (cost savings).
Morehead City, North Carolina
Morehead City is a port city in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,661 at the 2010 census. Morehead City celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding on May 5, 2007...
to Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
. The railroad carries over seventy freight trains and eight passenger trains daily. It is managed by the North Carolina Railroad Company.
History
In 1848 the North Carolina legislatureNorth Carolina General Assembly
The North Carolina General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of North Carolina. The General Assembly drafts and legislates the state laws of North Carolina, also known as the General Statutes...
authorized a railroad that would connect the eastern part of the state with the piedmont. NC Senate President Calvin Graves cast the deciding vote, ensuring the railroad would be built, but ending his political career because it would not pass through his district. In 1851 Senator Graves was given the honor of lifting the first shovel of dirt as construction of the railroad began in Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S...
. Three years later, in 1854, the railroad's first president, businessman John Motley Morehead
John Motley Morehead
John Motley Morehead was the 29th Governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina from 1841 to 1845. He is known as "the Father of Modern North Carolina."...
, dubbed the rail line "the tree of life" for the state. By 1856 the first train traveled along the entire route, from Goldsboro
Goldsboro, North Carolina
Goldsboro is a city in Wayne County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 37,597 at the 2008 census estimate. It is the principal city of and is included in the Goldsboro, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. The nearby town of Waynesboro was founded in 1787 and Goldsboro was...
to Charlotte.
In 1858 the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad was completed, opening 96 miles (154.5 km) of rail between Goldsboro and Shepard's Point, now Morehead City. Efforts to consolidate the Atlantic and North Carolina with the NCRR were initiated in 1866, but it would take until 1989 to complete the merger and consolidate the railroads from Morehead City to Charlotte.
In 1895 the North Carolina Railroad was leased to Southern Railway Company
Norfolk Southern Railway (former)
The Norfolk Southern Railway was the final name of a railroad running from Norfolk, Virginia southwest and west to Charlotte, North Carolina. It was acquired by the Southern Railway in 1974, which was merged with the Norfolk and Western Railway in 1990 to form the current entity of the Norfolk...
(later Norfolk Southern) for a 99 year period. Southern Railway/Norfolk Southern retained control of the railroad until 1999, when NCRR and Norfolk Southern reached an exclusive Trackage Rights Agreement
Arrangements between railroads
Railway companies can interact with and control others in many ways. These relationships can be complicated by bankruptcies.-Operating:Often, when a railroad first opens, it is only a short spur of a main line. The owner of the spur line may contract with the owner of the main line for operation of...
for Norfolk Southern’s continuing freight and maintenance operations on the NCRR line for 15 years, renewable for an additional 30 years.
One year prior to the establishment of this new lease with Norfolk Southern, in 1998, the State of North Carolina agreed to buy out the remaining 25% private shares of NCRR stock, making it a privately run company, with the voting stock fully owned by the state. In 2000, the General Assembly established by statute that North Carolina Railroad Company revenues are to be used for improvements to the NCRR line. A year later, the implementation of a Corridor Improvement Program that serves as the blueprint for upgrading the railroad was put into place and the first projects, $10 million worth of improvements along the corridor between Goldsboro and Morehead City, were completed. That same year the North Carolina Railroad Company approved a contract with Norfolk Southern and the North Carolina Department of Transportation to complete $30 million of improvements that would eliminate 20 minutes of daily passenger travel time between Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
and Charlotte in a double tracking project near Greensboro. NCRR's corporate capital improvement program is funded from NCRR capital funds generated through its freight agreement with Norfolk Southern. NCRR does not receive any state appopriations, and its properties are subject to North Carolina city and county property taxes, most but not all of which are paid by Norfolk Southern under the agreements.
Also in 2001 a corridor upgrade between Raleigh and Selma
Selma, North Carolina
Selma is a town in Johnston County, North Carolina, United States. In 2007, the estimated population was 7,008. Selma is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region.-Geography:Selma is located at ....
was completed, allowing for an increase in speed on the rail from 49 to 59 miles per hour (79 to 95 km/h). Two years later, in 2003, the Neuse River Bridge in Kinston
Kinston, North Carolina
Kinston is a city in Lenoir County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 23,688 at the 2000 census. The population was estimated at 22,360 in 2008. It has been the county seat of Lenoir County since its formation in 1791 . Kinston is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks...
was replaced. It was the first bridge completed through the Corridor Improvement Program. This nearly 100-year old structure developed a large crack in the east abutment after Hurricane Floyd
Hurricane Floyd
Hurricane Floyd was the sixth named storm, fourth hurricane, and third major hurricane in the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season. Floyd triggered the third largest evacuation in US history when 2.6 million coastal residents of five states were ordered from their homes as it approached...
, making it unsafe for further use. The new bridge is designed to carry the faster, heavier cars that are common on today’s freight routes. In May 2006, a new bridge over Highway 54 in Research Triangle Park
Research Triangle Park
The Research Triangle Park is a research park in the United States. It is located near Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill, in the Research Triangle region of North Carolina...
was completed to replace the old single track
Single track (rail)
A single track railway is where trains in both directions share the same track. Single track is normally used on lesser used rail lines, often branch lines, where the traffic density is not high enough to justify the cost of building double tracks....
bridge that had substandard clearance and, because of its narrowness, caused a significant bottleneck on Highway 54. The new bridge is double-tracked to increase train capacity and speed. The improvements will allow traffic to flow smoothly and safely on the road below while allowing both freight and passenger trains to move along the corridor.
NCRR Today
Recently, North Carolina Railroad Company added three new passing sidingsRail siding
A siding, in rail terminology, is a low-speed track section distinct from a running line or through route such as a main line or branch line or spur. It may connect to through track or to other sidings at either end...
over eight miles and centralized traffic control between Raleigh and Selma (30 miles) in order to increase capacity for both freight and passenger trains. The Company is also replacing several other bridges along the corridor to improve safety, efficiency, and speed. Other improvements made by the NCRR since 2001 include rail and bridge upgrades between Raleigh and Morehead City, NC at a cost in excess of $60 million. In 2010, the Company completed commuter rail investment and ridership studies for the segments between Goldsboro and Greensboro, through Raleigh.
Beginning in 2008, the North Carolina Railroad Company is working with the North Carolina Department of Transportation
North Carolina Department of Transportation
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is responsible for building, repairing, and operating highways, bridges, and other modes of transportation, including ferries in the U.S. state of North Carolina.-History:...
and Norfolk Southern to improve crossing safety on the eastern portion of the line by upgrading gates and crossing signals. The Company is also working with these parties to add or replace double track
Double track
A double track railway usually involves running one track in each direction, compared to a single track railway where trains in both directions share the same track.- Overview :...
between Charlotte and Raleigh in an initiative to extend higher speed passenger rail south to Charlotte from Washington via Richmond, Virginia.
The North Carolina Railroad was instrumental in encouraging the economic development of North Carolina in the 19th century, helping to define new markets, new industries, and new cities and today NCRR continues to contribute to the state’s economy. The North Carolina Railroad carries over one million carloads of freight each year and about 300,000 passengers. Based on a 2007 study by the Research Triangle Institute, the North Carolina Railroad saves North Carolina industries $198 million in transportation costs annually, and the total impact on North Carolina economic output is $338 million annually. In 2005, in counties bordering NCRR tracks, industries using rail freight services accounted for $143 billion in output, more than 24% of North Carolina’s total economy. NCRR freight transportation also has environmental benefits, conveying $65.7 million in external benefits (cost savings).