WeGo Star
WeGo Star is a commuter rail service providing weekday peak-period transportation between Lebanon and downtown Nashville, Tennessee, along a 32-mile route in the East Corridor.[1] The line serves seven stations—Riverfront, Donelson, Hermitage, Mt. Juliet, Hamilton Springs, Martha, and Lebanon—and connects with local bus routes at multiple points to facilitate transfers within the WeGo Public Transit network.[1] Initiated in 2006 under the name Music City Star, the service was rebranded to WeGo Star in 2018 to align with the broader WeGo branding for Nashville's public transit system.[2] It operates using diesel-powered locomotives pulling passenger coaches on tracks owned by the Nashville and Eastern Railroad, with schedules coordinated around freight traffic via agreements with operator RJ Corman Railroad Group.[2][3] The service includes special event trains for occasions such as Tennessee Titans games and holidays, but its core focus remains inbound morning and outbound evening rush-hour runs aimed at reducing automobile dependency on routes like Interstate 40.[2] Despite infrastructure investments, including permanent station developments completed by 2011, WeGo Star has maintained low ridership levels post-launch, falling short of initial projections for daily passenger volumes and highlighting challenges in commuter rail viability in low-density suburban corridors.[1][4]History
Planning and Construction (1990s–2006)
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) of Middle Tennessee, established by state statute in 1988 to coordinate regional transit services across multiple counties, began preliminary planning for commuter rail in the Nashville metropolitan area during the early 1990s.[5][6] This effort focused on leveraging existing freight rail corridors to address growing suburban congestion, particularly along the Nashville-Lebanon route, as part of a broader vision for a "star"-shaped network of radial lines serving outlying communities.[6] Planners identified the potential for a starter line to demonstrate feasibility amid rapid population growth in surrounding counties like Wilson, where Lebanon is located, but the initiative encountered persistent challenges including funding uncertainties and minimal political backing from local and state leaders.[6][7] By the late 1990s and early 2000s, studies emphasized cost-effective rehabilitation of underutilized CSX Transportation tracks rather than new construction, aligning with federal funding opportunities under programs like the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century.[6] Despite these analyses, progress stalled due to competing priorities for highway expansions and skepticism about rail's viability in a car-dependent region, with RTA officials advocating for the project as a low-risk pilot to build public and legislative support.[6] The planning phase culminated in secured commitments for a $40 million budget from combined local sales tax revenues, state appropriations, and federal grants, enabling a shift to implementation without extensive new infrastructure.[6][8] Construction on the Music City Star line officially started in September 2004, targeting a 32-mile corridor from Nashville's Riverfront Station to Lebanon with minimal disruption to existing freight operations.[6] Project scope included upgrading 32 miles of track for passenger standards, such as improved signaling and sidings for overtaking, erecting six park-and-ride stations at stops including Martha and Hamilton Springs, and procuring used rolling stock comprising three ex-Amtrak EMD F40PH locomotives and Bombardier bi-level coaches.[6] These efforts prioritized efficiency, rehabilitating freight right-of-way owned by CSX while negotiating access agreements to maintain compatibility with daily freight trains, all within the constrained $40 million envelope that avoided tunneling or grade separations.[6] Work advanced through 2005 and into 2006, incorporating accessibility features like platform-edge boarding and parking for over 1,000 vehicles at outer stations, positioning the line for operational testing prior to public service inauguration.[6]Launch and Initial Operations (2006–2010)
The Music City Star, predecessor to WeGo Star, commenced operations on September 18, 2006, as a commuter rail service linking downtown Nashville with Lebanon, Tennessee, spanning 32 miles and serving six stations along the route.[6] Initial weekday service consisted of peak-hour trains operating roughly from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. inbound and 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. outbound, utilizing existing tracks owned by the Nashville and Eastern Railroad.[9] The project, completed at a total cost of $40 million—with 80 percent funded by a federal grant and the remainder from state and local contributions—marked one of the most budget-conscious new commuter rail startups in the United States.[6] Equipment for the inaugural service included three overhauled ex-Amtrak EMD F40PH locomotives paired with bi-level gallery coaches purchased from Chicago's Metra system, enabling capacity for commuter demands while minimizing upfront expenses through the reuse of proven rail assets.[6] Early performance metrics demonstrated reliability, with on-time arrivals exceeding 95 percent, prompting adjustments such as the addition of late-evening trains and special event services to venues like LP Field for Tennessee Titans games.[6] Ridership began modestly, averaging about 500 daily round-trip passengers by mid-December 2006, falling short of the initial projection of 1,500 per day despite steady growth in demand noted through 2008.[6] [10] By 2010, average daily usage had climbed to approximately 800 passengers, reflecting gradual adoption amid economic challenges but highlighting persistent shortfalls relative to pre-launch forecasts.[11] Plans for corridor improvements and potential service expansions were discussed during this period to address capacity and connectivity limitations.[6]Rebranding and Post-Recession Adjustments (2010–2020)
Following the 2008 financial crisis, Music City Star ridership continued to grow despite broader economic challenges in the region, reaching an average of nearly 850 daily passengers by January 2010.[12] To accommodate this demand, operators added a third passenger car to all trains starting in early 2010. Annual ridership climbed steadily from 104,785 trips in 2007 to a peak of 277,148 in 2012, reflecting recovery in Nashville's job market and commuter patterns along the corridor.[13] Ridership began declining thereafter amid stagnant regional transit funding and competition from expanding highway capacity, dropping 8.6% to 253,421 trips in 2013.[13] No major service frequency reductions occurred immediately post-recession, but operating costs remained high relative to usage, with the line averaging under 1,000 daily boardings by the mid-2010s.[4] Efforts to adjust included targeted promotions for special events, though these did not reverse the downward trend in regular weekday usage. In 2018, the service rebranded from Music City Star to WeGo Star, aligning with the Regional Transportation Authority's overhaul of its branding to WeGo Public Transit for unified regional identity.[14] This change emphasized integration with bus and other modes but did not alter core operations or infrastructure.[15] By late 2018, federal Positive Train Control (PTC) mandates prompted schedule tweaks to avoid costly installation, as the line's freight-shared tracks lacked the technology; operators eliminated one Friday evening round trip effective December 2018, limiting service to under the threshold for exemption.[16][17] This adjustment reduced peak-day capacity slightly but preserved weekday commutes at six round trips, prioritizing cost control over expansion amid ongoing low ridership.[16]Pandemic Impact and Recovery (2020–Present)
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a precipitous decline in WeGo Star ridership, dropping from approximately 206,000 passengers in 2019 to about 35,000 in 2020, reflecting broader shifts toward remote work and reduced commuting in the Nashville region.[18] Unlike some transit systems, WeGo Star maintained operations without full suspension, continuing limited peak-hour service with two round trips daily in each direction during 2020 and 2021, supported by enhanced cleaning protocols and capacity restrictions aligned with public health guidelines.[19][20] Recovery has been gradual and incomplete, with ridership reaching only 43 percent of pre-pandemic levels by 2024, lagging behind WeGo's bus services which exceeded 2019 figures.[21] This mirrors national trends in commuter rail, where persistent low demand post-2020—driven by hybrid work arrangements and economic uncertainty—has strained operations, with many systems reporting ridership below 50 percent of baseline as of 2025.[22] WeGo initiated a comprehensive 2023 strategic study to assess pandemic-induced changes in employment patterns, evaluate service viability, and optimize infrastructure investments along the line, incorporating data on regional growth and shifting travel behaviors.[2] By mid-2025, service patterns remained focused on weekday peaks without expansion, though discussions for enhancements—such as extended hours or frequency increases—hinge on multi-jurisdictional funding amid ongoing fiscal pressures from reduced fares and federal aid dependency.[18] Annual operating costs hovered around $5.4 million, underscoring the challenge of sustaining the line with subdued demand.[18]Route and Infrastructure
Line Specifications and Coverage
The WeGo Star operates along a 32-mile route extending from Riverfront Station in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, to Lebanon Station in Wilson County.[1][8][23] This eastbound corridor parallels portions of Interstate 40 and State Route 155 (Briley Parkway) before diverging northeast through suburban areas of Davidson and Wilson counties.[24] The line provides regional commuter connectivity, linking residential and employment centers in Nashville with growing exurban communities to the east.[1] Service includes seven stations, listed outbound from Nashville: Riverfront, Donelson, Hermitage, Mt. Juliet, Martha, Hamilton Springs, and Lebanon.[1][8] Four of these—Mt. Juliet, Martha, Hamilton Springs, and Lebanon—lie within Wilson County, supporting local workforce access to Nashville's urban core.[24] The route utilizes existing freight rail infrastructure under the Nashville and Eastern Railroad, configured as primarily single track with provisions for overtaking maneuvers during peak operations.[8] End-to-end travel requires about 55 minutes under normal conditions.[25]Stations and Facilities
The WeGo Star commuter rail line features seven stations spanning its route from downtown Nashville eastward to Lebanon, Tennessee, each equipped with side platforms for passenger boarding and designed to facilitate transfers to local bus services where applicable.[1] Parking is provided via free Park & Ride lots at six of the stations to encourage reverse-commute and park-and-ride usage, with capacities varying by location to accommodate demand; Riverfront Station, as the urban terminus, lacks dedicated parking but integrates with pedestrian infrastructure and bus connections.[26] All stations comply with accessibility standards, including ramps and tactile paving for passengers with disabilities.[1] The following table summarizes the stations and their primary facilities:| Station | Location | Parking Spaces | Additional Facilities and Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverfront | 108 1st Avenue South, Nashville | None | Bus connections to WeGo Routes 64 and 93; adjacent to John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge and Flag Court for walkable access to downtown attractions and employment centers.[1] |
| Donelson | 2705 Lebanon Pike, Nashville | 230 | Park & Ride lot; served by WeGo Route 6 bus for local connectivity.[1] |
| Hermitage | 4121 Andrew Jackson Parkway, Hermitage | 280 | Park & Ride lot; served by WeGo Route 6 bus.[1] |
| Mt. Juliet | 22 East Division Street, Mt. Juliet | 255 | Park & Ride lot integrated into suburban setting.[1] |
| Martha | 65 Martha Circle, Lebanon | 74 | Originally a temporary facility, upgraded to permanent status; Park & Ride lot.[1] |
| Hamilton Springs | 1000 Gaston Park Drive, Lebanon | 162 | Park & Ride lot; supports transit-oriented development initiatives.[1] |
| Lebanon | 334 W. Baddour Parkway, Lebanon | 140 | Eastern terminus and origination point with direct highway access; includes rail yards for locomotive and equipment storage and light maintenance.[27][1] |
Track Ownership and Shared Usage
The tracks comprising the WeGo Star route, spanning approximately 32 miles from Nashville to Lebanon, Tennessee, are owned by the Nashville and Eastern Railroad Authority, a public entity established to manage rail infrastructure in the region.[28][2] This authority holds title to roughly 130 miles of rail lines overall, including the corridor utilized for commuter service.[28] Freight operations on these tracks are conducted by the Nashville and Eastern Railroad (NERR), a shortline railroad corporation that leases trackage rights from the authority and was acquired by R. J. Corman Railroad Company in November 2018.[29][30] WeGo Star shares the single-track corridor with NERR freight trains, which primarily handle industrial commodities and connect to larger Class I carriers at interchange points near Nashville.[2] This shared usage is governed by a cooperative operating agreement between WeGo Public Transit (the service operator), R. J. Corman (as NERR's parent), and the Nashville and Eastern Railroad Authority, which prioritizes freight movements during peak demand periods.[2] To minimize conflicts, WeGo Star schedules all regular service—typically four inbound morning trains and three outbound afternoon trains on weekdays—outside high-volume freight windows, confining operations to off-peak hours between freight runs.[2][31] Freight dominance in afternoons and other times restricts expansion to midday, evening, or weekend service without infrastructure upgrades like sidings or positive train control, which have been deemed cost-prohibitive under current agreements.[2][31] Special event trains, such as those for Nashville Predators games or Titans events, are permitted via negotiated slots, but routine sharing constraints have limited ridership growth and service frequency since launch in 2006.[2]Operations
Service Patterns and Scheduling
The WeGo Star provides commuter rail service exclusively on weekdays, with all trips concentrated in peak morning and afternoon periods to accommodate work-related travel patterns from suburban Lebanon to downtown Nashville and vice versa.[1] The schedule features eight inbound trips to Riverfront Station (Nashville) and six outbound trips to Lebanon Station daily, reflecting an emphasis on morning arrivals in the city center.[26] This limited frequency—typically one train every 45 to 60 minutes during peaks—stems from operational constraints, including the absence of full Positive Train Control (PTC) signaling, which federal regulations cap at 12 daily trips without upgrades.[32] Morning inbound service begins at 5:40 a.m. from Lebanon, with arrivals at Riverfront up to 10:00 a.m., while outbound returns start at 6:53 a.m. from Riverfront. Afternoon operations reverse the flow, with outbound departures from Riverfront from 4:10 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. and inbound trips from Lebanon up to 7:26 p.m. arrival at Riverfront.[26] No regular service occurs outside these windows, on weekends, or evenings beyond the final trips, though occasional special event runs, such as for concerts or festivals, have been added.[1] Connections to WeGo bus routes, including shuttles from Riverfront Station, facilitate transfers for broader regional access.[26]| Direction | Period | Key Departures (Lebanon/Riverfront) | Key Arrivals (Riverfront/Lebanon) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inbound (to Nashville) | Morning | 5:40 a.m., 6:35 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 9:20 a.m. (Lebanon) | 6:16 a.m., 7:11 a.m., 8:36 a.m., 10:00 a.m. (Riverfront) |
| Outbound (to Lebanon) | Morning | 6:53 a.m., 8:15 a.m. (Riverfront) | 7:30 a.m., 8:55 a.m. (Lebanon) |
| Inbound (to Nashville) | Afternoon | 3:20 p.m., 4:50 p.m., 5:05 p.m., 6:50 p.m. (Lebanon) | 3:56 p.m., 5:25 p.m., 5:40 p.m., 7:26 p.m. (Riverfront) |
| Outbound (to Lebanon) | Afternoon | 4:10 p.m., 5:10 p.m., 5:55 p.m., 7:45 p.m. (Riverfront) | 4:50 p.m., 5:50 p.m., 6:35 p.m., 8:25 p.m. (Lebanon) |
Fares, Ticketing, and Accessibility
WeGo Star operates a zone-based fare system determined by the station of origin, with one-way tickets ranging from $2.00 at Donelson to $5.25 at Riverfront Station and Lebanon.[33] Multi-ride options include 10-ride passes starting at $17.75 from Donelson and rising to $47.25 from Lebanon, while 31-day monthly passes begin at $67.25 from Donelson and reach $176.50 from Lebanon.[33] Reduced fares of $2.00 per one-way ride apply to youth under 20, seniors aged 65 and older, and individuals with disabilities upon presentation of a valid WeGo discount card; children aged 4 and under ride free.[33]| Station | One-Way Fare | 10-Ride Pass | 31-Day Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donelson | $2.00 | $17.75 | $67.25 |
| Hermitage | $4.50 | $40.00 | $150.25 |
| Mt. Juliet | $4.75 | $43.00 | $158.50 |
| Martha | $5.00 | $45.25 | $168.00 |
| Hamilton Springs | $5.00 | $45.25 | $168.00 |
| Lebanon | $5.25 | $47.25 | $176.50 |
| Riverfront | $5.25 | N/A | N/A |
Maintenance and Crewing
The WeGo Star is operated by R. J. Corman's Transit Solutions Group, which provides the train crews consisting of locomotive engineers responsible for operating the trains and conductors who manage onboard passenger services and safety.[37][31] Crew training includes emergency response drills, such as the mock disaster exercise conducted on April 12, 2023, to ensure preparedness for incidents like derailments or evacuations.[37] Rolling stock maintenance occurs primarily at the storage and servicing yard in Lebanon, Tennessee, where locomotives and coaches are housed overnight and undergo routine inspections, repairs, and overhauls as needed. WeGo Public Transit handles capital maintenance for its fleet through its facilities group, including locomotive servicing to maintain operational reliability.[38] Track maintenance, classified as Maintenance of Way (MOW), is managed by WeGo Public Transit, with an annual program approved by the Regional Transportation Authority on January 15, 2025, focusing on inspections, repairs, and rehabilitation to ensure safe operations along the 32-mile route owned by the Nashville and Eastern Railroad Authority.[39] This includes coordination with freight operator R. J. Corman to schedule work outside peak service hours, supported by grants for track rehabilitation projects.[2][40] WeGo employs dedicated MOW staff, including a Senior Director for oversight of track, signals, and infrastructure upkeep.[41]Rolling Stock
Locomotives
The WeGo Star employs four EMD F40PH diesel-electric locomotives for hauling its commuter trains, all acquired used from Amtrak in 2006.[42] These units, numbered NRTX 120, 121, 122, and 381 under the Nashville Regional Transportation Authority's reporting mark, were originally constructed between August 1980 and 1981.[43] The locomotives feature a 16-cylinder EMD 645-series prime mover rated at approximately 3,000 horsepower, suitable for push-pull operations on the 32-mile route.[25] Between 2018 and 2021, the fleet underwent sequential overhauls, including upgrades that reclassified units 120–122 as F40PH-2 variants and repainting all locomotives from their prior schemes—including one in ex-Pacific Surfliner livery—into the WeGo system's purple-dominated scheme.[42] Locomotive 381, a F40PHR rebuild built as Amtrak 381, retained its distinctive paint until 2022 before receiving the WeGo livery.[44] This maintenance ensured continued reliability despite the units' age exceeding 40 years as of 2025.[45]| Road Number | Model Variant | Build Date | Builder's Number | Ex-Amtrak Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 | F40PH-2 | Aug 1980 | 796379-1 | 332 |
| 121 | F40PH-2 | Aug 1985 | 847048-8 | 398 |
| 122 | F40PH-2 | Aug 1985 | 847048-9 | 399 |
| 381 | F40PHR | 1981 | (not specified) | 381 |