Saluda Grade State Trail State Park

(North Carolina)

Saluda Grade was the steepest standard-gauge mainline railway grade in the United States. Owned by the Norfolk Southern Railway as part of its W Line, Saluda Grade in Polk County, North Carolina, gained 606 feet (185 m) in elevation in fewer than three miles (4.8 km) between Melrose and Saluda. Average grade was 4.24 percent for 2.6 miles (4.2 km) and maximum was 4.9% for about 300 feet (91 m). In December 2001, Norfolk Southern took the line containing the grade out of service for economic reasons. In a contract signed August 5, 2024, Saluda Grade was sold to the Saluda Grade Trail Conversancy, with plans to convert to a rail trail. (Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saluda_Grade)