I just came across a document saying that CAMPO (the regional transportation planning organization with jurisdiction for Raleigh) released a request for proposals to study a rail connection between Raleigh and Fayetteville. This is the first of many steps to even create a plan for a commuter train route to Fayetteville -not even putting any money or shovels into it, yet.
But!! The proposed rights-of-way is interesting:
…notice how the Fuquay/Lillington option includes a certain path we like to look down on?
Full document at: http://files.www.campo-nc.us/get-involved/rfprfqs/Final_Fayetteville-Raleigh_Rail_Study_RFP__2019-05-06_compiled.pdf