Raleigh, N.C. – In celebration of one of North Carolina’s most beloved traditions, the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Rail Division has announced that all NC By Train passenger trains will make a stop in Salisbury on Saturday, May 17, to accommodate visitors traveling to the annual Cheerwine Festival.
The announcement, made Monday by the NCDOT Rail Division, is part of the agency’s ongoing effort to make travel to major events across the state more accessible, convenient, and environmentally friendly. While Salisbury is a regular stop on several NC By Train routes, two additional trains – Train 71 and Train 76 – will also make special stops in the town at 8:45 a.m. and 7:23 p.m., respectively, to accommodate festivalgoers.
Expanded Train Service Encourages Stress-Free Travel
Festival attendees can board NC By Train from multiple cities across the Piedmont corridor, including Charlotte, Kannapolis, High Point, Greensboro, Burlington, Durham, Cary, and Raleigh. Trains from Raleigh to Charlotte are scheduled to depart at:
- 6:30 a.m.
- 10:00 a.m.
- 12:25 p.m.
- 3:15 p.m.
- 5:30 p.m.
For those returning from Charlotte to Raleigh, departures are at:
- 6:45 a.m.
- 10:25 a.m.
- 2:20 p.m.
- 5:00 p.m.
- 7:45 p.m.
“This is a great opportunity for families and festival fans to skip traffic, avoid the hassle of parking, and arrive in Salisbury relaxed and ready to enjoy everything the Cheerwine Festival has to offer,” said an NCDOT spokesperson.
NC By Train Sees Significant Ridership Growth
The announcement comes amid a surge in ridership on NC By Train. In 2024, the service recorded 720,758 passengers, marking a 12% increase over 2023’s total of 641,000. More notably, ridership has surged 55% since 2019, the last full year before the COVID-19 pandemic impacted travel nationwide.
The increase reflects growing interest in sustainable and convenient alternatives to driving, especially for regional travel to high-attendance events like the Cheerwine Festival, which draws tens of thousands of visitors annually.
Plan Your Trip
The Cheerwine Festival, held each spring in downtown Salisbury, celebrates the iconic cherry-flavored soft drink that originated in the city in 1917. The festival features live music, food vendors, family-friendly activities, and, of course, plenty of Cheerwine. Visitors are encouraged to purchase train tickets early, as demand is expected to be high.
For full schedules, ticket purchases, and available discounts, visit NCByTrain.org. Updates and additional event train service information can also be found by following @NC_By_Train on Twitter/X and Instagram, or by liking NC By Train on Facebook and LinkedIn.
