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Georgia Interurbans and Steetcar Railroads

(Please note that the below photos do not depict Georgia interurbans.)

While several southern states were home to street railways, some of which boasted several such lines, few could claim hardly any interurbans (or those systems which served multiple communities). In the case of Georgia interurbans, the state was rare in actually have a few such companies to its credit, notably the Augusta-Aiken Railway and the Georgia Railway & Power Company (which owned a few small interurban systems). Additionally, the Peach State was home to a handful of streetcar lines that served larger cities such as Atlanta, Gainesville, Savannah, and Valdosta. While Georgia's streetcar lines had a history that dated back to the 1860s just after the Civil War (these lines originally used horse and buggy to provide service) its interurban lines did not develop until around the turn of the 20th century when the industry truly began to flourish.

As with the industry overall, Georgia's streetcar and interurban systems began to fall apart as early as World War I. And, by the end of World War II, the state's entire network of systems was completely abandoned. Today, Altanta's MARTA system (the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) is the last remaining remnants of the state's streetcar lines (although it is more technically a subway/light rail transit system). In any event, the information below includes short paragraph descriptions of most Georgia interurbans and streetcar railroads.

Atlanta Northern Interurban Railway: The Atlanta Northern Interurban Railway served a roughly sixteen-mile system in the Atlanta area. Part of its system is still used by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority today.

Columbus Railroad Company: The Columbus Railroad Company served its namesake city operating a few miles of track within the city and was the first being chartered in 1866. It switched to electric operation in 1894 when it built one of the first hydroelectric power plants in the State of Georgia. The railroad disappeared into merger in 1922 when it purchased the Columbus Power Company becoming the Columbus Electric & Power Company.

Gainesville Street Railway: The Gainesville Street Railway was shortlived interurban serving its namesake city. It lasted only until 1890 and much of its track was taken up in the 1940s for the war effort.

Savannah Electric Company: The Savannah Electric Company was the primary interurban serving the city and operated on an unusual five-foot gauge system. The system was abandoned in 1946.

Valdosta Street Railway: The Valdosta Street Railway began operations in 1898 operating a system that served Toombs, Patterson, Ashley, Lee, Troup, Hill, Central, Crane and Gordon Streets of Valdosta. It was abandoned in 1925.

Augusta-Aiken Railway: This was one of Georgia's true interurban system. It began operations on September 8, 1902 as the Augusta & Columbia Railway, serving its namesake cities. A subsidiary of the Georgia-Carolina Power Company it was renamed as the August-Aiken Railway in 1911. While the 26-mile system operated on its own right-of-way it was never very profitable (despite serving an amusement park known at Lake Olmstead) and operations were abandoned by 1929.

Georgia Railway & Power Company: This company was actually controlled another line, the Atlanta Northern, which served Atlanta and Marietta (a distance of 16 miles) opening on July 17, 1905. It also operated its own line between Atlanta, Decatur, and Stone Mountain to the east, which stretched an additional 16 miles and began operations in November, 1913. Both systems were abandoned by 1947.

For a small gallery of photographs highlighting Georgia interurbans and streetcar railroads please click here.

Please Click Here To Return To The Main Interurbans Section

For more reading on Georgia interurbans consider picking up a copy of the book The Electric Interurban Railways in America by authors George Hilton and John Due. Many consider their book to be the quintessential resource guide to the interurban and streetcar movement that was once so common in our country during the first half of the 20th century. At nearly 500 pages the book is stuffed full of information on trolley operations and covers virtually every topic on the subject. If you have any interest in trolleys and interurbans and/or would like to learn more about their history I would strongly consider Mr. Hilton and Mr. Due's book first before purchasing any other. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing this book please visit the link below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.

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