ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Trains and railroads are an important part of the history of North Carolina. Some pieces of the railway across the state have been bought by private train lovers. In western North Carolina, it’s just one of many routes of transportation that have been impacted by the aftermath of Helene.
Rocky Hollifield grew up loving trains. He has been living out his dreams of owning a railway since 2001 with the Craggy Mountain Line in Asheville.
“Adults and children, when they get on this train they're just … it don't matter if they're 6 or 96. They have a good time,” Hollifield said.
The first time he saw this railway, he fell in love with it.
“I stood in the middle of the track, and I looked at it,” Hollifield said. “And I was just sort of overwhelmed by the beauty of it. It's a little bit hard to see now with all the damage and construction going on, but this mountain was absolutely beautiful.”
The Craggy Mountain Line has become a favorite attraction for much of the Asheville community. But now the view is a little bit different. When Helene ripped through Asheville, the railway wasn’t spared.
“The ground, it was all gone. The trees, the valleys, a third of the ties were washed away,” Hollifield said. “Fortunately, the railroad didn't move, but I mean, it was really a mess. And then the mountain that we're sitting on right now was just laced with trees.”
Streams of water came from the hills and washed out large portions of the mountain next to the lines. Down by the river, the overflow washed away much of the ground underneath the track.
“I remember going down on the river and almost fighting back tears,” Hollifield said. “I knew God has brought us so far with this thing, and I knew it was just so precious. I just knew somehow we'd be able to get help. But, you know, at the time you're overwhelmed.”
Craggy Mountain Line is 3 and a half miles long. Three miles of it was damaged, and 2 miles were completely underwater. But help finally came in the form of 25 railroad workers from HG Railroad Services.
“I don't know if I can put it into words. It's awesome,” Hollifield said. “I mean, it's a miracle for us. I'll just be honest … I mean, I'm kind of speechless. I really am. I can't quite describe it. The joy and the gladness and the thankfulness for these crews to be out here repairing this railroad. It’s almost overwhelming.”
Hollifield said he can’t wait to start sharing the history and the excitement of this railroad with the people of Asheville again soon. He loved his career as an engineer on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad.
“But I enjoy this more,” Hollifield said. “This is way better. Way better. Because this is this is our dream to bring a railroad to life.”
A lot of hard work has gone into fixing the Craggy Mountain Line and other railroads across the state.
Jeremy Plyler and HG Railroad Services came to the rescue.
“It's labor intensive everywhere,” Plyler said. “I mean, there is no easy part of the railroading job.”
When they first arrived, it took them three days to clear away fallen trees and debris before they could start repairs. Much of the work still has to be done manually. It’s back-breaking work replacing more than 3,000 railroad ties in just a few days, but Plyler and his crew said it’s worth it.
“Yeah, it's about building a railroad. Yeah, it's about keeping the country going,” Plyler said. “But there's a big piece in me, that's God instilled, like it's about helping others.”
They’re here to help the community in western North Carolina rebuild. And when people come together, each piece of Asheville can be restored.
“People's lives are still affected today,” Plyler said. “You still have people that are suffering. Well, this little track, it gives a little glimmer of hope. Right? It's a little glimmer of hope about Asheville. This can be rebuilt. People can still enjoy it. Life can be rebuilt.”
HG Railroad Services finished up the Craggy Mountain Line project last month and moved on to restoring the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Companies and their volunteers have come from all over the country to help the Asheville and western North Carolina communities rebuild.
