"I AM PERSONALLY CONFIDENT THAT THE ECUSTA TRAIL WILL HAPPEN."   HUNTER MARKS

With the warm weather season here and outdoor enthusiasts eager to get outside and enjoy the natural beauty of western North Carolina, some are wondering...is the proposed ECUSTA TRAIL ever going to happen, or is it at or near the end of the line?

Probably not at the end of the line, not quite...it’s been hanging on now for years, always a good idea, always hopeful, but with not much happening..

The reason for that proposed “rail trail” along the old “Pea Vine” rail line from Hendersonville to Brevard never getting “on track” rests with the owners of the rail line.  

For many years, and most of its existence, the line was owned by Southern Railroad, then later by what became Norfolk Southern, and now by WATCO and the Blue Ridge Railroad Company. “Back in the day” of the Ecusta plant in Pisgah Forest, the “Pea Vine” line was kept busy. But when Ecusta died, so did much use for the rail line. The line’s owners have remained hopeful over the years that some other new industry would settle along the line, or in the Pisgah Forest-Brevard area, and restore the “Pea Vine” to its previous purpose.

And Transylvania County officials have shared that goal, always hoping that a new job-creating, revenue-producing, tax-paying industry would come along to need use that rail line.

But years have gone by, there is no new industry in need of that line, and Ecusta Trail is still only a proposal, a design-on-paper, a dream of bicyclists, hikers, environmentalists and others who’d like to see that old and largely abandoned “Pea Vine” become a rail trail similar one in upstate South Carolina and others in the country that have proven to be successful, recreationally and economically for their regions.

WATCO has spoken about their plans with WHKP in the past, but recently they referred us to the Ecusta Trail organization. Local landscape architect Hunter Marks is president of the Ecusta Trail supporters, and he told WHKP News that “We talk with WATCO periodically and obviously nothing is going to happen until they decide they no longer have any use for that line. They (WATCO) are always very up front and honest with us and they say they are not prepared to make any decisions yet.”

As for the future, Marks told WHKP’s Tippy Creswell that “I am personally confident that the Ecusta Trail WILL happen.”   

WATCO bought the line in 2014 and Marks thinks they’re still doing their “due diligence”. He said, “More than likely sooner than later, they’re (WATCO) gonna realize there is not much they can do with that line.”

As for WATCO, Marks said “Ideally, they’d like to have an active railroad line, with customers, and making money.. And they are exhausting all options to make sure there is no potential, no stone unturned, before they say ok...we don’t think there’s any ;potential here, it’s time for us to let go. But they’re being good businessmen and they want an active railroad. But I don’t think anyone who is knowledgeable about these things thinks there’s going to be a legitimate industry on that line.”

The Ecusta Trail is a great idea and may ultimately be a good use of the old “Pea Vine” line. But as those who’ve wanted a multi purpose lane along Highway 280 in Mills River, from the Buncombe County line to Brevard have found out, those who own property along the route...or in the case of Ecusta Trail those who own the rail rine...have something to say about it as well.

And until the owners relinquish ownership or otherwise give their permission for these “good ideas” to happen, not much is going to happen. Years will pass by, money will be raised and spent, enthusiasm will likely diminish over time, and the lesson will be learned that the OWNERS, and the financing to make the dream cone true, should be secured and solidly on board and in sync with the dreamers and supporters from “day one”...IF good and worthwhile projects like Ecusta Trail are ever to become a reality.

By WHKP News Director Larry Freeman 06/06/18