(The following appeared on the Charlotte Observer website on May 4, 2011. Brother Ben Lee is Local Chairman and Legislative Representative of BLET Division 166 in Charlotte, N.C.)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The single track rail line that runs from Charlotte northward through Huntersville, Cornelius and to Mooresville adjacent to N.C. 115 has been the subject of much attention over the past few years as transportation officials consider using it for a Charlotte commuter train.
However, even if the passenger rail plan never materializes, the line boasts a rich history, while still playing an important role in local commerce.
Each weekday, diesel locomotives coupled to freight cars traverse the 17 miles from Charlotte to Cornelius, bringing valuable cargo to a trio of large companies and a number of smaller customers.
The lines major customers are:
Gerdau Amersteel, the second largest mini-mill steel producer and steel recycler in North America.
Pactiv, which manufactures the Hefty brand products including waste bags, slider storage bags, disposable tableware and disposable cookware.
Foamex, a producer of foam products for the home, healthcare, electronics, industrial, personal care and transportation markets.
“This was and is a vital line and its history is rich, ” said Ben Lee, regional vice general chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineer and Trainmen (Norfolk Southern-Southern Lines).
Lee, 58, who lives in Wadesboro and occasionally still runs trains along the line, has four generations of railroading in his family.
“I remember the days when this line would sometimes handle 150 to 200 car freight trains making their way to and from Charlotte.”
According to Lee, passenger services were discontinued in the early 1980’s and the tracks between Mooresville and Statesville were removed. Signs of the line’s right-of-way are still evident in Troutman, where the downtown depot and Richardson Walkway occupy spots along where the rails once were.
Full story: Charlotte Observer