KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The last passenger train to leave Southern Railway Station in Knoxville left decades ago. A federal study conducted by the Federal Railroad Administration is sparking discussions about bringing passenger rail back to East Tennessee.

State Senator Becky Massey represents Knoxville and chairs the transportation committee. She said trains aren't what leaders are focusing on right now.

"I think 42,000 people are riding passenger rail a day in the country. That's such a small component of the number of people that ride on the roads," Massey said.

She said it's likely even with a rail, people would still prefer to drive themselves. That's why she's concerned with improving the interstate.

"Knoxville can't wait for decades to fix our interstate. That really is a quicker f

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