From the capital city of Atlanta, stretching across the Peach State landscape, Georgia is rich in railroading history. Here are the must-visit tourist railroads, museums, and displays straight out of Trains Magazine’s Tourist Trains Guidebook!
Georgia Tourist Railroads and Museums
Atlanta Metro
Atlanta History Center – 130 West Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta
The Atlanta History Center’s railroad exhibit – Locomotion: Railroads and the Making of Atlanta – may contain a small collection, but the Western & Atlantic Railroad steam locomotive Texas is the immaculate centerpiece with historical value. The 19th-century 4-4-0 is one of two participants during the Great Locomotive Chase of the Civil War. Besides the Texas and the story surrounding it, the center is also home to a quality range of railroading artifacts – including corporate records and photographs from the Southern Railway.
Southeastern Railway Museum – 3595 Buford Highway, Duluth
Railroading in Georgia and the Southeast is thoroughly preserved at the 35-acre Southeastern Railway Museum. More than 90 pieces of locomotives and rolling stock call the museum home. Highlights of the collection are Savannah & Atlanta steam locomotive No. 750 of excursion fame, and Presidential private cars Superb used by Harding and the Marco Polo used by Franklin D. Roosevelt. Short train rides are also offered at the museum’s campus.
Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History – 2829 Cherokee Street NW, Kennesaw
While the Atlanta History Center is home to one of two locomotives involve in the Great Locomotive Chase, the other resides today at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. The 1855-built Western & Atlantic 4-4-0 steam locomotive General is displayed as a historical reminder of the 1862 event that began a few yards away from the museum. In fact, the next-door main line between Atlanta and Chattanooga remains active today in the form of CSX Transportation.
Central Georgia
SAM Shortline – 105 9th Avenue East, Cordele
In partnership with Genesee & Wyoming Incorporated, the SAM Shortline operates passenger excursions over the Heart of Georgia Railroad. Why call it SAM? The original line was first charted in the 1880s by the Savannah, Americus & Montgomery Railroad. Trains depart from either the depot in Cordele or Georgia Veterans State Park to different destinations along the railroad. The Presidential Flyer is a highlight in the schedule as the excursion travels to Archery where passengers can visit President Jimmy Carter’s childhood farm.
North Georgia
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway – 241 Depot Street, Blue Ridge
Heading east from Atlanta to Knoxville, Tenn., the terrain can turn rugged yet scenic. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway takes full advantage as it traverses the former Louisville & Nashville Railroad that follows the Toccoa River. Passengers can choose from either regular coach or open-air car as the train departs Blue Ridge on a 26-mile round trip.
Other Georgia railroad sites to consider
During your visit to Georgia, consider also visiting these railroad sites:
- Georgia Coastal Railway – Kingsland
- Georgia Museum of Agriculture & Historic Village – Tifton
- Georgia State Railroad Museum – Savannah
- Okefenokee Heritage Center – Waycross
- Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad – Stone Mountain
- Thronateeska Heritage Center – Albany
