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Central of Georgia Railway Steam Locomotives

The classifications given by railroads to their steam locomotive fleets were as varied as the machines themselves with several different designations within a particular class! The Central of Georgia Railway steam locomotives were likewise characterized by a wide range of types from C to P, even though overall in comparison to other Class Is the railroad's fleet was rather small. In any event, the information here is most certainly not a complete, all-time listing of CoG's steam fleet and also is merely meant to list the general types of steam locomotives operated by the railroad.

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.

For being a rather small Class I the Central of Georgia rostered some large steam locomotives including 2-10-2 Santa Fes, 4-8-4 Northerns which were known as Big Apples on the CoG, and 2-8-2 Mikados (or "MacArthurs"). Today, none of the Central's largest steam locomotives survive but five still do including a trio of 2-8-0 Consolidations.

Type C

The CoG's Type C included its fleet of 2-8-0 Consolidations.

Type E

The CoG's Type E included its fleet of 4-4-0 Americans.

Type J

The CoG's Type J included its fleet of 2-10-2 Santa Fes.

Type K

The CoG's Type K included its fleet of 4-8-4 Big Apples.

Type M

The CoG's Type M included its fleet of 4-8-2 Mountains.

MacArthurs

The MacArthurs were the official name given to the Central's fleet of 2-8-2 Mikados due to the United States' involvement in World War II at time and fighting against Japan.

Type P

The CoG's Type P included its fleet of 4-6-2 Pacifics.

Type S

The CoG's Type S included its roster of 0-6-0 switchers.

Type T

The CoG's Type T included its two lone 4-6-0 Ten-Wheelers.

For complete roster information regarding Central of Georgia Railway steam locomotives please click here.

For more reading on the Central of Georgia Railway you may want to consider the book Central of Georgia Railway by authors Jackson McQuigg, Tammy Galloway, and Scott McIntosh. The book gives a definitive history on the railroad, particularly after 1940 during the transition into the diesel era and final days before being taken over by the Frisco. If you have any interest in the Central or would like to learn more about it, this book is a must read and you should not be disappointed with it. 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".

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