Cordele Main Street
CORDELE, Ga. — An average of 80 trains a day cross the diamond in the south central Georgia community of Cordele, making it one of the busiest rail crossings in the Southeast. Norfolk Southern, CSX Transportation, and the Heart of Georgia Railroad, a Genesee & Wyoming short line, all use the crossing. “The activity rivals that of Folkston and Manchester, Georgia” says avid railfan and private car owner Nelson McGahee. Todd Tait of GS&F T-TRAK, an informal regional modeling group, adds: “It’s the best place in the Southeast to watch trains from multiple railroads with plenty of southern hospitality.”
Recognizing the attraction for the railfan community, Cordele has opened a viewing platform in its Railway Park, providing a better and more comfortable spot for photographers and rail enthusiasts to watch the action. Plans for an observation platform began as far back as the 1980s. It was an item on the Main Street agenda for years but proposals lay dormant until 2019. The desire for a tourism project led to the decision that trains and railroads were the city’s niche.
“The railroads were — and still are — what makes Cordele different,” explains Monica Mitchell, the director of Cordele Main Street, a downtown promotional group. “That’s why Cordele exists.”
Two major railroads —the Savannah, Americus & Montgomery and Georgia Southern & Florid — drove local economic development, so much so that the town was named for Cordelia Hawkins, daughter of the president of the SAM.
Once the direction was set to honor railroad history, activity was swift. A rail museum was established next to the SAM Shortline excursion train headquarters. With the involvement of the Cordele City Commission, the Industrial Development Authority, Cordele-Crisp Tourism and the Downtown Development Authority, construction of the viewing platform and Railway Park began. It was completed in 2020, within a year of the groundbreaking.
Cordele Main Street
Platform is well equipped, with more features planned
Located adjacent to the diamond, just west of U.S. Route 41/7th Street, the platform overlooks the intersection of the three railroad lines. The covered has charging stations for personal electronics and bathroom facilities. The walkway leading to the elevated deck is lined with plaques detailing the history of the trains that have passed through, as well as the depot and city history. It is surrounded by green space that features benches, and trees donated by local Rotarians. The observation deck is open 24/7 with the restrooms open from sunup to sundown.
Developers plan to add webcams and radio monitors to the viewing stand. It will also be part of the annual Railfan Festival that is held on the second Saturday in November. The event features model club displays, railroad artists, craft vendors, food, and children’s activities. City leaders hope the new attraction will lead to further developments such as retail stores, eating establishments, and a boutique hotel. “This wonderful platform will certainly draw visitors,” says Al Willis, chairman of the Friends of SAM. “It is a win-win for railfans and the city of Cordele.”
The platform is located at 201 N. 7th Street. Cordele is about 140 miles south of Atlanta, 65 miles south of Macon, 90 miles southeast of Columbus, Ga., and 200 miles northwest of Jacksonville, Fla. For more information, call the Main Street Office: 229-276-2902.
— Article and photos courtesy Cordele Main Street.
