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Norfolk Southern denies rumors about reopening Saluda Grade line from the Tryon Daily Bulletin, Tryon, North Carolina, October 6, 2004 by Chris Dailey Norfolk Southern says it has no plans to reopen the Saluda Grade line, despite recent rumors that the company is preparing to reopen the line soon. Several local residents who follow railroad activity closely say they've heard NS will open the line perhaps early next year. They say shifts in customer demand are expected to prompt NS to resume use of the route that includes the Saluda Grade line. NS has not used the line for regular freight traffic in nearly three years and it's been nearly 18 months since NS cut the local rail line in two places, making a 20 mile section of track impassable. The line was cut a little west of Saluda and again just south of the Hwy. 14 intersection in Landrum, S.C. The company said it cut the line to reduce the cost of regular inspections and maintenance. At the time, NS said it may reopen the line in the future if its business activity requires use of the line. Company spokesman Robin Chapman said last week that hasn't happened yet. "We do not have any plans to reopen the Saluda line," he said. The Carolina Heritage Line Committee, which is dedicated to preserving the unique local rail line, was formed here after NS announced that it was closing the line. The committee proposed using the line for passenger rail service and tourism. The local line is well known among railroad enthusiasts as the steepest standard gauge main line railway grade in the country. The committee received support for the idea from the North Carolina Department of Transportation Rail Division. Committee members and state officials have been waiting to hear NS's future plans for the line and whether the company will consider sharing it for passenger rail service. State officials say they too have heard recent rumors that NS may reopen the Saluda Grade line soon, but they have no confirmation on that from Norfolk Southern.
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