Crowd gathers for first train traveling through NC town since Hurricane Helene

OLD FORT, N.C. -- Norfolk Southern returned to Old Fort in western North Carolina on Saturday, drawing a crowd of keen train spotters in the process.

The return of the locomotive came about one-and-a-half years after the railroad infrastructure suffered damage from Tropical Storm Helene.

Randy W. Vess captured this drone footage which shows dozens along the trainline to welcome "the first train through Old Fort since before Hurricane Helene."

The railroad company wrote to social media it "felt the love today as community members gathered to welcome us back in Old Fort."

"At the town Depot, the train stopped so we could celebrate the moment with the community and Team NS - together," it said.

"The 59car westbound train traveled from Hickory and Old Fort before entering the iconic Old Fort Loops, climbing the mountains through tunnels and sweeping horseshoe turns on its way toward Asheville."

"To the WNC communities: thank you for showing up, for cheering us on, and for welcoming us back so warmly. We were honored to share this historic moment with you."