Fayetteville, NC (FAY)
Station Overview
The railway station in Fayetteville, North Carolina (station code FAY) features a handsome Dutch Colonial Revival-style building with a gambrel roof. It was built in 1911 by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Address:
472 Hay Street
Fayetteville, NC 28301-5563
Key Statistics (FY 2024)
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Ticket Revenue | US $ 5,038,064 |
| Annual Station Ridership | 57,166 passengers |
Ownership & Routes
- Facility and parking lot ownership: City of Fayetteville
- Platform & tracks: Owned by CSX Transportation
- Train services: Served by the Palmetto and Silver Meteor routes operated by Amtrak deals.
- Contact: Todd Stennis, Regional Contact at Amtrak (governmentaffairsnol@amtrak.com)
Historical Background
The current station building is the third depot at the Hay & Hillsborough streets location. Constructed of red brick in 1911 in the Dutch Colonial Revival style with a gambrel roof, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
In the early 1990s, the City of Fayetteville completed a major exterior renovation, including installing a slate roof.
In 2005-2006, accessibility upgrades were carried out: a new boarding platform that meets accessibility standards, modifications to the waiting room to create sheltered passage to the platform, all designed by SFL&A Architects of Fayetteville. The total cost was about US $696,000. Ninety percent of the funding came from the North Carolina Department of Transportation and 10 % from the city.
Fayetteville itself was founded after the American Revolutionary War and named in honor of the French general Lafayette (who actually visited the city). In the 1780s it hosted events such as the assembly that ratified the U.S. Constitution and the General Assembly that chartered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—America’s oldest public university.
In 1831 the city suffered a catastrophic “Great Fire,” destroying many businesses and homes (though no lives were lost). Citizens rebuilt the city, and in 1832 the Market House replaced the old State House. Post-World War II Fayetteville’s population surged; the downtown area experienced decline during the Vietnam War era but has since undergone revitalisation. The station building also houses the Fayetteville Transportation Museum. The city has won multiple “All America City” awards and has a strong military connection due to nearby Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base.
Station Building & Waiting Room
Features
- ATM: Not available
- Elevator: None
- Payphones: Available
- Quik-Trak kiosks: Not available
- Restrooms: Available
- Ticket sales office: Available
- Unaccompanied child travel: Allowed
- Vending machines: Available
- WiFi: Not available
Travel arrival guidelines:
- If checking baggage or needing passenger assistance, arrive at least 60 minutes before departure.
- If not checking baggage and no assistance required, arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.
Baggage Services
- Amtrak Express shipping: Not available
- Checked baggage service: Available
- Checked baggage storage: Available
- Bike boxes for sale: Available
- Baggage carts: Available
- Ski bags: Not available
- Shipping boxes for sale: Available
- Baggage assistance by station staff: Available
Parking
- Same-day parking: Available (fees may apply)
- Overnight parking: Available (fees may apply)
Accessibility
| Accessibility Feature | Availability |
|---|---|
| Payphones | Available |
| Accessible platform | Yes |
| Accessible restrooms | Yes |
| Accessible ticket office | Yes |
| Accessible waiting room | Yes |
| Accessible water fountain | Yes |
| Same-day accessible parking | Not available |
| Overnight accessible parking | Not available |
| High platform | No |
| Wheelchair available | Yes |
| Wheelchair lift available | Yes |
Hours
| Service | Hours |
|---|---|
| Station Waiting Room | Mon–Sun: 12:00 am–06:00 am; 10:00 am–06:00 pm; 10:00 pm–11:59 pm |
| Ticket Office | Same hours as waiting room |
| Passenger Assistance | Same hours as above |
| Checked Baggage Service | Same hours |
| Parking | 24 hours daily |
| Quik-Trak Kiosk | Not available |
| Lounge | Not available |
| Amtrak Express | Closed |
Local Community Links & Additional Information
- City of Fayetteville website: City of Fayetteville
- North Carolina By Train website: NC By Train
- Local bus service: Fayetteville Area System of Transit (FAST) buses
Why This Station Matters
This station is not just a transit stop—it’s a piece of historic architecture and community pride. Its design, history, and restoration reflect Fayetteville’s commitment to preserving its heritage and keeping rail travel accessible. The building links the city’s past to its future by serving modern train services while retaining its character from 1911.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a traveler arriving at or departing from the Fayetteville station, or a visitor interested in historic rail architecture, the Fayetteville Station offers both functionality and heritage. For train schedules and fares, visit the Amtrak website or call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).
