Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some men, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give men a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
TRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of TRT and HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
For men, getting older comes with its perks, like living life on their own terms and not having to "sweat the small stuff" day in and day out. At the same time, there are aspects of aging that men dread, like hormonal changes. Yes, you read that right – men, not just women, go through hormonal changes as they age. For men, the biggest change involves a drop in testosterone.
Lower levels of testosterone can wreak havoc on a male's mind and body and when left untreated, can result in symptoms like:
Those symptoms are concerning, but with testosterone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine, many males improve their quality of life with age. The good news is that TRT and anti-aging meds aren't only reserved for "old guys." In fact, there's no magic age at which men should start thinking about hormone replacement therapy. Everyone's body is different, so if you're experiencing the above conditions in your mid-30s, TRT could be a viable solution when you consult with a doctor.
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.
When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.
TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.
Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.
Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes – especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.
When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.
For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.
When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.
If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.
For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.
Are you used to blasting through a productive day and accomplishing all your daily goals? Do you find yourself losing muscle mass and the craving to be intimate with your partner? Does your partner complain about how irritable you have become? If you're not usually a curmudgeon, your body could be giving you a sign. It could be time to speak with a doctor about TRT and anti-aging medicine for men in Charlotte, NC.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might be battling against low testosterone:
One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.
The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.
Weak erections – it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.
Hair Loss
Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?
Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.
Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT Charlotte, NC, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.
Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.
Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in Charlotte, NC, is now available to address hair loss for good.
While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.
Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.
If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.
If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.
A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels – as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.
The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.
TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.
You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed – and it may stem from low testosterone.
A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.
Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age – these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.
However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.
Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.
Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.
Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.
Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men are numerous. TRT not only grants relief from low-T symptoms but can help give protection against age-related diseases. Additionally, doctors now recognize male testosterone as an important role in alleviating depression.
Some of the most exciting benefits of TRT can include:
Because men do not go through a specific period of hormonal changes like women do (called menopause), many doctors refer to "male menopause" as androgen decline. This is just another term for low testosterone, but like female menopause, the symptoms can be serious and affect your quality of life.
The best way to fight back against male menopause is with male HRT treatment from Global Life Rejuvenation. We provide the following HRT treatments for men:
Our treatment options are personalized for your body and are available as creams, gels, injectables, and implantable pellets. To find out if testosterone replacement therapy is safe for you, contact Global Life Rejuvenation today to schedule your comprehensive testing and anti-aging treatment consultation.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Benefits of Sermorelin include:
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.
Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
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READ MORESome people in North Carolina live with more pollution exposures than others. Environmentalists say it’s time for state regulators to work harder to protect them.Expand AllIn more than 1,300 communities across North Carolina, facilities granted pollution-control permits sit tucked into city centers or border highways and residential neighborhoods.They include sites contaminated with hazardous material or facilities that have state or federal permits to discharge pollutants into the air or water....
Some people in North Carolina live with more pollution exposures than others. Environmentalists say it’s time for state regulators to work harder to protect them.
In more than 1,300 communities across North Carolina, facilities granted pollution-control permits sit tucked into city centers or border highways and residential neighborhoods.
They include sites contaminated with hazardous material or facilities that have state or federal permits to discharge pollutants into the air or water.
They are likely near you.
It is neighborhoods with multiple sources of pollution that concern environmentalists and healthcare workers.
Cumulative exposure, they say, can lower a person’s quality of life and decrease property values. They can also exacerbate underlying health conditions in four of the five leading causes of death in North Carolina – heart disease, stroke, cancer and COVD-19, said Kirsten Minor, health manager for CleanAIRE NC, a nonprofit group.
In considering most air and water permits, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality typically considers only pollution to be emitted by a facility seeking a new permit or a renewal. In only some instances, does the agency account for whether pollution from a new site could combine with what existing facilities already emit, or the cumulative risks for people nearby.
To examine neighborhoods near multiple polluters, The Charlotte Observer and The News & Observer mapped contaminated sites or locations in the state hosting facilities with environmental permits. They include:
? Superfund sites: Sites contaminated by hazardous waste that was dumped or improperly managed.
? Toxic release sites: Sites that contain toxic chemicals that might pose a threat to human health and the environment.
? Coal ash ponds: Sites that store the waste generated primarily by coal-fired power plants.
? North Carolina air quality permits: Sites that the state allows to release contaminants into the air.
? National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits: Sites permitted to discharge contaminants into U.S. waterways
After plotting the locations, we merged them with a North Carolina map of census tracts — neighborhood-size boundaries used by the federal government for census counts. About half of the state’s 2,600 census tracts in the state have at least one of these sites, data show. Fifty-two have 10 or more.
Because census tract sizes vary, we calculated the number of sites per square mile for each tract.
About 75 census tracts, areas the size of neighborhoods, have at least two polluters per square mile, the newspapers’ analysis found. Combined, those tracts are home to more than 200,000 people.
These operate legally under state law. But their combined potential risks are, for the most part, invisible to regulators and people living nearby.
This story was originally published May 25, 2023, 6:00 AM.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Amtrak and the North Carolina Department of Transportation are adding an additional train to their existing passenger rail service between Charlotte and Raleigh.Starting July 10, a fifth train connecting some of North Carolina's major cities will be added to the timetable.The new train will depart Raleigh at 1 p.m. with a 4:10 p.m. arrival time i...
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Amtrak and the North Carolina Department of Transportation are adding an additional train to their existing passenger rail service between Charlotte and Raleigh.
Starting July 10, a fifth train connecting some of North Carolina's major cities will be added to the timetable.
The new train will depart Raleigh at 1 p.m. with a 4:10 p.m. arrival time in Charlotte. That same train will then depart Charlotte at 5:30 p.m. to return to Raleigh at 8:29 p.m.
With services provided by Amtrak, NC By Train is a state-run service providing multiple trains throughout the day on its Piedmont service, which connects Raleigh and Charlotte with stops in Cary, Durham, Burlington, Greensboro, High Point, Salisbury and Kannapolis.
Once the new schedule takes effect on July 10, trains will depart from Charlotte's Amtrak station on North Tryon Street at:
Likewise, trains will return from Raleigh to Charlotte at the following times:
Additionally, the daily Crescent train provides service between New York and New Orleans, with local stops in Gastonia, Charlotte, Salisbury, High Point and Greensboro before then traveling north towards Charlottesville, Virginia. Crescent 20 will continue to depart northbound from Charlotte at 5:31 a.m. and southbound toward Atlanta at 2:55 a.m as Crescent 19.
For the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app.
Amtrak's Carolinian originates in Charlotte with service terminating in New York City. It will continue to depart the Queen City at 6:45 a.m. as Carolinian 80. In North Carolina, it services Charlotte, Kannapolis, Salisbury, High Point, Greensboro, Burlington, Durham, Cary, Raleigh, Selma-Smithfield, Wilson, and Rocky Mount before traveling toward Richmond, Virginia.
NC By Train has operated since 1990.
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In 2018, NC By Train launched a fourth daily round trip between Raleigh and Charlotte. In September 2022, the service saw more monthly passengers than any other month in its 32-year history. The Carolinian and Piedmont trains handled 48,488 passengers, which marked an increase of 32% over the average pre-pandemic monthly ridership levels from 2014 to 2019, according to the state. Overall this year, there was a 65.3% increase in ridership compared to 2021, which itself saw a 118.7% increase.
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In December, NC DOT operated the first "test train" into the future home of Charlotte's new Gateway station. Once operational, it will relocate the city's Amtrak service from the existing station on North Tryon Street to the new station within the heart of Uptown, where there will be connecting service on CityLYNX Gold Line, bus routes, and other local transit.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation was responsible for Phase 1, which saw the construction of the new tracks, passenger platform and supporting rail infrastructure. The phase finished on schedule and within budget, estimated to be about $86.38 million, according to an NCDOT spokesperson and data published by the state. The funding consisted of $30 million from the federal government, $47,350,000 from the state, and $9,034,986 from the City of Charlotte.
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The City of Charlotte is responsible for the second phase, which will see the construction of a multi-story, and multi-use building that will feature railroad operations in addition to space for retail, residential, commercial, and dining accommodations.
"We hope to see the Phase 2 work complete and trains delivering passengers to the new station in the next few years," a NC DOT spokesperson told WCNC Charlotte in December.
The second phase of construction will see the construction of a new building, which will serve as a transit hub within walking distance of popular destinations including Truist Field, Bank of America Stadium, and Romare Bearden Park. The complex will sit near West Fourth Street and West Trade Street near what is currently the Greyhound Bus Station.
Phase 2 is expected to cost at least $52 million, according to project documentation.
Earthquakes aren’t common in the North Carolina mountains, so something unusual must be happening under Canton.Four quakes have been recorded ...
Earthquakes aren’t common in the North Carolina mountains, so something unusual must be happening under Canton.
Four quakes have been recorded in the past three days in the town about 130 miles northwest of Charlotte, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The first was a 2.8 magnitude at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23, data shows. Then came three more Thursday evening, a 1.8, a 2.2 and a 2.4, data shows. The latter two occurred within about 10 minutes of each other Thursday evening.
Witnesses reported feeling the 2.4 and 2.8 quakes, with most describing a “weak” shaking, geologists say. No damage has been reported.
All four earthquakes were centered in a sparsely populated area north of Canton, along the east ridge of Chambers Mountain, maps show.
Earthquakes typically aren’t felt until they exceed 2.5 magnitude, experts say. That’s also the point at which minor damage can start to occur.
The Appalachian Mountains are not on an active tectonic plate boundary — where earthquakes are common — but the region has sporadic minor quakes linked to old fault lines, geologists.
It is also possible for earthquakes to trigger more quakes, according to the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Appalachian State University.
“In areas with lots of old faults, like the Appalachians, we tend to get earthquakes along pre-existing fault zones that have weakened rock at depth,” the department wrote in a report on Earthquakes in the N.C. High Country.
“Even though the southern Appalachians are not currently at an active plate boundary, our tectonic history means that built-up stresses from time to time are able to be released along old faults from the building of the Appalachians, which happened hundreds of millions of years ago.”
Earthquakes’ sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. They can happen anywhere, but they’re most common in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Washington, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
If an earthquake strikes, it’s best to protect yourself right away. Here are tips from experts:
The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say. “Wherever you are, drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy,” officials say.
“If you’re using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, make sure your wheels are locked and remain seated until the shaking stops.”
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible. If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.
Once under a table, officials say you should hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it.
“There can be serious hazards after an earthquake, such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines,” officials say. “Expect aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake. Be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel an aftershock.”
A house blocked several lanes of traffic on an interstate in Charlotte, North Carolina, after falling off the back of a truck."On scene of the I-485 wreck. Cars are slowing passing the house on the shoulder. All minor injuries," Joe Bruno of WSOC-TV in Charlotte wrote in a tweet on Thursday, sharing a photo of the house laying across several lanes.A spokesperson for the North Carolina Department of Public Transportation told Newsweek that the agency's "Incident Management Assistance Program (IMAP) team w...
A house blocked several lanes of traffic on an interstate in Charlotte, North Carolina, after falling off the back of a truck.
"On scene of the I-485 wreck. Cars are slowing passing the house on the shoulder. All minor injuries," Joe Bruno of WSOC-TV in Charlotte wrote in a tweet on Thursday, sharing a photo of the house laying across several lanes.
A spokesperson for the North Carolina Department of Public Transportation told Newsweek that the agency's "Incident Management Assistance Program (IMAP) team was dispatched to I-485 Inner near Moores Chapel Road (Exit 12) about 10:35 a.m. after learning of a crash involving a tractor trailing hauling a mobile home."
The spokesperson also said an IMAP crew confirmed the mobile home was on the road, and NCDOT crews installed "a closure" to provide a "safe area" for first responders—including two heavy wreckers," the spokesperson told Newsweek via email.
Officials with the North Carolina Department of Transportation expected the interstate to reopen later this afternoon, the spokesperson said.
Newsweek reached out to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety via email for updated information on the wreck. A spokesperson for the Charlotte Fire Department told Queen City News that the tractor-trailer carrying the home collided with another vehicle, causing the home to fall off.
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In other photos posted to Twitter, several cars can be seen stuck under the home after it fell off of a truck.
"One car has been pulled from underneath the house. Incredible there were only minor injuries," Bruno said in one tweet which showed a car under the home.
Another tweet shared by Bruno captured a second car stuck underneath the home.
"Chopper 9 is over a crash involving a mobile home that was on the back of a tractor trailer. We can see 2 cars that the mobile home appears to have fallen on. Another has bad damage to the front of its car. On 485 inner loop at Moore's Chapel Rd.," Hunter Saenz of WSOC-TV wrote in another tweet showing images of the cars.
In a statement shared with WSOC-TV, Clayton Homes, which constructed the home causing the traffic jam, said "A Clayton transportation truck carrying a manufactured home was involved in an accident on I-485 near Charlotte, N.C.," it reads. "We understand no Clayton team members were injured in the accident. Safety is our company's top priority, and we are working closely with local authorities to learn more."
In another photo posted by Bruno, officials can be seen working to clear the wreckage as they placed the home back onto another flatbed truck.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Train enthusiasts lined the tracks of the Aberdeen Carolina & Western railroad Thursday for the appearance of the shortline railroad's forthcoming NoDa Express.The passenger train made the journey from the railroad's headquarters in Candor through Stanfield. As the train crossed the Pee Dee River into Stanly County Thursday, it paused so photographers could capture photos and videos of the train in front of the Duke Energy hy...
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Train enthusiasts lined the tracks of the Aberdeen Carolina & Western railroad Thursday for the appearance of the shortline railroad's forthcoming NoDa Express.
The passenger train made the journey from the railroad's headquarters in Candor through Stanfield. As the train crossed the Pee Dee River into Stanly County Thursday, it paused so photographers could capture photos and videos of the train in front of the Duke Energy hydropower power plants.
The excursion was the debut run of the railroad's new E-Unit engine number 103. The new engine joined the existing engine, ACWR 271, and seven other cars for the test run.
Railfans and photographers lined railroad crossings as they followed the train on its journey.
"It's a unique engine. There's not a lot of these around," Joseph Navin, a railfan who drove from Greensboro, said. "I think it's great. I think the community support is probably good for them."
The railroad told WCNC Charlotte in September they hope to soon begin renting out the passenger train for excursions such as private parties and business retreats. The railroad's current business is hauling freight regionally across central North Carolina. Last year, the train made its first public appearance when it parked along the railroad's tracks near 34th street in the popular NoDa neighborhood.
"We wanted to bring a unique experience to Charlotte. Having a new venue like this... could be a good fit," Jennifer White, president of the railroad, explained at the time. "NoDa is very trendy... and our railroad tracks go right through it."
The train features social space, including an indoor bar car and an outdoor car, which was converted from an old "maintenance of way vehicle" once used to build and maintain the railroad.
White said a team at the company's Candor-based headquarters has been restoring cars for the train. Some of the cars come from the company's vintage stock, while others were acquired from other companies or rescued from abandoned sidings.
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Founded in 1987, the ACWR is a shortline railroad operating 150 miles of tracks in North Carolina. The railroad's western terminus is in Charlotte, where it connects to the large rail yard operated by Norfolk Southern. At their eastern edge, they connect to the rail network operated by CSX.
