Laurels to the momentum toward establishing a Salisbury-to-Asheville passenger train route. Supporters from communities along the route gathered in Raleigh this week to encourage funding for the project.

History helps put this effort into perspective. According to James Brawley’s book, “The Rowan Story,” Salisbury once lost vast trade markets because the community passed up the opportunity to get more railroads. An excerpt:

“Why did not Rowan get these railroads? Salisbury was the natural geographic center of the Piedmont section and at the terminus of two of the most important roads in the State, yet other towns and cities without the advantages possessed by Salisbury captured them. The Charlotte Observer noted in the Feb. 27, 1887, issue that Salisbury had been the leading town of this section up to the Civil War, but ‘the people laid down and slept on their opportunities.’ ”

The people of Salisbury and Rowan are not about to sleep on this opportunity. Railroad expansion is a completely different game today than it was in the 1800s, but opportunities are still opportunities. If passenger rail travel to the west is to be revived, Salisbury is a most logical jumping off place for it —and most willing.

Dart to 10-digit dialing, which became mandatory throughout the 704 area code on Thursday. And you thought technology was supposed to make life simpler. If your calls are still going through with only seven digits, don’t get your hopes up that maybe you’ve latched onto a magic phone. BellSouth engineers just haven’t reprogrammed all the equipment yet.

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Laurels to the state’s new commemorative quarter, which offered a glimmer of pleasure during a week where money wasn’t a very upbeat topic — either in the state legislature or on Wall Street.

Our admittedly biased evaluation: Two bits never looked better. Of the 15 state quarters released thus far, the N.C. model is obviously superior, in conception and design. Even without seeing the other 35, we can confidently state that it will top them, too.

The N.C. quarter combines a readily recognized image — the Wright brothers’ biplane skittering above the sand — with a simple composition. It’s straightforward, honest and to the point — virtues we’d like to think are embodied in our citizenry, too. As for Ohio’s complaint that Orville and Wilbur really belong on their future quarter because the aviation pioneers hailed from the Buckeye state — well, just get over it.

The Wright boys may have called Ohio home, but North Carolina is where their dream took flight. And if you don’t believe it, we can show you the money.