Georgia Coastal Railway, established in November 2020, took over the St. Marys Express. Trains operate over the 10-mile St. Marys Railroad between Kingsland, Ga. (off the former-SAL Jacksonville-Richmond mainline) and St. Marys, Ga. The St. Marys Railroad was chartered in 1865 and incorporated in 1906. Passenger equipment includes ex-CN/VIA FP9A No. 1752, as well as ex-NJT GP40PH-2B No. 4135, a full-width body rebuild.
Choices
Georgia Coastal Railway offers unique excursions, themed events, and murder mystery train service on Saturdays year-round. Charter service is also available in open-air cars or climate-controlled coaches. Since 2022, the railroad has operated from a new depot in downtown Kingsland.
When to go
This is the South, so the milder temperatures between October and May tend to be the more pleasant. The remainder of the year can be muggy and hot, so choosing your class of service is especially important. Trains run rain or shine.
Good to know
Georgia Coastal Railway is conveniently located directly off Interstate 95, 35 minutes north of Jacksonville, Fla., and the immediate area is populated with national and local lodging accommodations, eateries, and services.
Worth doing
Cumberland Island National Park & Seashore (Ferry departs from downtown St. Marys), “Theater by The Trax”, which occupies the former St. Mary’s Railroad enginehouse, and the “Folkston Funnel” on the ex-ACL mainline (now CSX) 30 minutes west of Kingsland. Coastal Georgia is also known for its many beaches.
Don’t miss
Visit the submarine museum and the “Toonerville Trolley” displays in downtown St. Marys. The Toonerville Trolley gained national recognition when cartoonist Roy Crane rode it into St. Marys and sketched local scenes to appear in his Wash Tubbs and Captain Easy comic strip.
Getting there
Take Interstate 95 (Exit 3). From I-95, head west 2 miles toward Kingsland on King Avenue/GA-40 into downtown Kingsland. Turn left at the light onto Lee Street/ US-17. Go three blocks south to the railroad crossing. The depot is on the right adjacent to the track and has ample free parking.
Location: 440 South Lee Street, Kingsland, GA
Phone: 904-370-3744
Website: thegeorgiatrain.com
E-mail: Info@TheGeorgiaTrain.com
