The Central of Georgia diesel roster was a mix of EMD, Alco, and Balwin products with the Fairbanks-Morse H12-44 model rounding out the roster. For a complete/all-time Central of Georgia diesel roster please click here. This list of surviving CoG diesel locomotives will be categorized by original numbers the railroad assigned its units and where they are today, whether in operation, cosmetically restored, or in some state of preservation at railroad museums and tourist railroads. Also, just as something to keep in mind if you are not aware, while some locomotives may be painted/preserved in CoG colors this does not necessarily mean that they are of CoG heritage (and likewise, some locomotives may be of CoG heritage that are not in CoG colors).
The Central of Georgia Railway is sometimes a forgotten classic fallen flag system of the South. At its largest the Central stretched from Atlanta to Albany, east to Savannah, and west extending into Alabama, with the farthest reach to Birmingham. In 1956 the Central of Georgia would lose its independence forever when it was taken over by the Frisco (the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway).
The Frisco remained in control of the railroad until it was forced to divest it by the ICC in 1963 at which point it was purchased by the Southern Railway and had its name changed to the Central of Georgia Railroad when it was merged with the Georgia & Florida, the Wrightsville & Tennille, and the Savannah & Atlanta. Surprisingly, the Central of Georgia continues to survive under the Norfolk Southern banner, albeit only on paper.
American Locomotive Company (Alco)
· Alco RS3 #109: Preserved by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum as CoG #109.
Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
· EMD SD7 #201: Preserved by the Virginia Museum of Transportation at CoG #201.
Also, it should be noted that some former Central of Georgia switcher and road unit locomotives continue to remain in some state of operation and in active revenue service with Regionals, shortlines, or leasing companies. To learn more about the disposition of these locomotives please click here.
While this list will continually be updated it certainly does not completely cover every surviving unit, which was on the Central of Georgia diesel roster. So, if you know of any other survivors out there, whether they are parked and gleaming in a museum or sitting out in the weeds along a forgotten siding please let me know so we can keep this list growing, and you will be given full credit for your help. For more information on the all types of classic diesel locomotives consider the book The American Diesel Locomotive from author Brian Solomon. The book studies everything from classic to newer diesel locomotive models. In the entire book is a great resource and you shouldn’t be disappointed with it, not to mention that it is loaded with photos (many in color)! If you're interested in perhaps purchasing this book please visit The Railroad Diamond by clicking the tab in the menu to your left marked "TRD Store".
