Crowds hustle and bustle around an N.C. State Fair entrance, many are visitors from out of state. They’re coming in the afternoon to beat the evening crowds, even though a Monday night typically brings little traffic. The noise of the crowd is silenced by a train whistle. The train is coming.
Pulling into a temporary stop specially made for the state fair, the locomotive stops just across the street proudly bearing the text: “Piedmont 30 Year Anniversary.” About a hundred people shuffle out of train cars dating from the sixties, shuffle across the street, and join the crowd at the entrance as the train makes a hasty exit.
The trip is a visible reminder that Raleigh is one of the few cities with reliable train service, allowing Enloe students to travel near and far. Even when the State Fair isn’t happening, students are still able to visit the recently-opened Raleigh Union Station to catch their rides or celebrate prom there annually. “I have taken a train [in] North Carolina,” said Sumy Bhave, an Enloe junior. “I went from Raleigh to Charlotte on a school trip taking the Amtrak train.”
Train service in North Carolina is operated by Amtrak, the national train company, but is supported by the state. Thus, most service is between North Carolina’s towns and cities like Greensboro, Charlotte, and Raleigh, making it useful for students traveling to competitions or visiting museums. There are even special event trains similar to the state fair stop that go to Panthers’ games in Charlotte, the Lexington BBQ festival, or the US open golf championship at Pinehurst.
Speeds are competitive with cars, with trains making the trip from Raleigh to Charlotte in a little under three hours, about the same speed as driving. It’s no wonder that more people than ever are riding trains; over the last five years, train travel has increased 55% to an annual 720,000 riders.
But trains offer more than just speed. “It was kind of gentle, like a baby in a baby carriage,” recalled Jonas Hutchinson, an Enloe junior. “It was really early in the morning, but it was very fun.” Another aspect of the train is the general atmosphere: unlike a plane or car, there is ample room to stand up, chat, and mess around with friends. “I definitely enjoyed the train, but not really for what was outside, but more what was inside,” remembered Sumy. “It was nice to be sitting at a table with your friends while also moving along at a relatively rapid pace.”
Unique to the atmosphere of N.C.’s trains are the hosts that frequent the service, something not seen anywhere else in the country. Identified by their distinctive red ties and scarfs, these volunteers are a storehouse of knowledge on local landmarks and cities. You can meet them while studying at one of the study tables or while getting free coffee from the café car. Oh, and those train cars from the sixties? They’ve been refurbished with new interiors that’ll last until new train cars replace them in the near future.
The future is looking peachy for Raleigh’s train service. Soon, high speed connections to Richmond and D.C. will link Enloe students farther than ever before, lending Raleigh a connection to the North, bypassing traffic-infested highways. Other plans include a possible link to Wilmington and the beach. Enloe students seem all for it. “I think America needs more high-speed rails,” remarked Jonas. Sumy thinks the same way. “I think it would be great if more school children and also adults could take [trains].”
Works Cited
“Carolinian Train: Rider Guide.” US Train Travel Guide, 25 Oct. 2017, amtrakguide.com/routes/carolinian/.
NCDOT. “More People than Ever Travel NC by Train.” Ncdot.gov, 8 Jan. 2025, www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2025/2025-01-08-nc-by-train-2024-record-ridership.aspx.
—. “NC by Train Ridership Continues to Increase.” Ncdot.gov, 12 Aug. 2025, www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2025/2025-08-12-nc-by-train-ridership-increases.aspx.
“North Carolina Station and Train Host Association Case Study – Great American Stations.” Greatamericanstations.com, 2016, www.greatamericanstations.com/planning-development/station-host-volunteer-programs/north-carolina-station-and-train-host-association-case-study/. Accessed 25 Nov. 2025.
Pecaut, Ryan. “North Carolina’s Missing Trains: Where Are Amtrak Piedmont’s New Trains? | All Aboard Ohio.” All Aboard Ohio, 10 Jan. 2025, www.allaboardohio.org/posts/north-carolina-s-missing-trains-where-are-amtrak-piedmont-s-new-trains. Accessed 6 Dec. 2025.
“Piedmont Train Route – Stops, Schedules & Amenities +1-877-673-0126.” Amtraktrainstations.com, 23 Sept. 2025, amtraktrainstations.com/routes/piedmont-train-route/.
“Raleigh, NC – Union Station (RGH) – Great American Stations.” Greatamericanstations.com, 2024, www.greatamericanstations.com/stations/raleigh-nc-rgh/. Accessed 25 Nov. 2025.
“Raleigh Union Station.” Visitraleigh.com, 2017, www.visitraleigh.com/listing/raleigh-union-station/70115/.
Stradling, Richard. “NC Seeks Assurance from Trump Administration That High-Speed Train Project Is Still a Go.” Raleigh News & Observer, Raleigh News & Observer, 14 Feb. 2025, www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article300193249.html. Accessed 25 Nov. 2025.
