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Georgia Scenic Train Rides: A Complete Guide

Last revised:  February 22, 2025

By: Adam Burns

Once containing more rail lines than any other southeastern state, Georgia's history with the iron horse is both rich and diverse. 

It was served by several famous names (Southern Railway, Louisville & Nashville/Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis, Central of Georgia, Atlantic Coast Line, and the Seaboard Air Line) and which connected many important cities. 

Today, the Peach State includes an assortment of museums and scenic train rides aimed at highlighting this interesting part of its past.  There are popular excursions like the SAM Shortline, Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad, and Blue Ridge Scenic Railway while museums house important links to the past. 

There is perhaps none more paramount than the Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History located in Kennesaw, Georgia, an organization which houses the General. 

This 4-4-0 took part in the legendary "Great Locomotive Chase" during the Civil War.  The information here offers gives a brief overview of the state's tourist trains and museums.  

Please note!  The guide here pertains only to scenic train rides related to vacation and tourism destinations.  If you are interested in intercity/long distance rail travel please visit Amtrak's website.

The popular Blue Ridge Scenic Railway in north Georgia.

State Rail History

Railroading in Georgia began largely under duress.  When the South Carolina Canal & Rail Road Company's (SCC&RR) opened its 136-mile route from Charleston, South Carolina to Hamburg (directly across the Savannah River from Augusta, Georgia) in October, 1833, Savannah business leaders worried trade to their city would be greatly hampered. 

At the time the SCC&RR was the longest railroad in the world.  It soon became apparent this new form of technology was the future in transportation. 

As Richard Prince points out in his book, "Central of Georgia Railway And Connecting Lines," the city chartered their own Central Rail Road & Canal Company on December 20, 1833 for the purpose of connecting Savannah with Macon. 

In 1835 it was renamed as the Central Rail Road & Banking Company of Georgia.  After eight years of work the 191-mile route was largely complete (it later became the modern Central of Georgia Railway). 

In the succeeding years thousands of miles were laid down across the state with the Southern Railway offering the densest coverage (it would later acquire the Central of Georgia).  

According to the book, "The Routledge Historical Atlas Of The American Railroads" by author John F. Stover, Georgia's mileage peaked during the 1920's at over 7,300. 

Following increased competition from other transportation modes (highways and airliners), mergers, and bankruptcies this number dropped by more than 39% over the next several decades.

Today, according to the Association of American Railroads, the state contains 4,422 miles of railroad. Among the available rides available, only the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway operates an historic component of famous rail line, in this case Louisville & Nashville's fabled "Hook & Eye" north of Atlanta. 

It has also become the state's most popular, providing not only wonderful scenic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains but also offering several excursion options.  The SAM Shortline should also be mentioned as they offer guests many events and specials throughout the year.

Overview

Azalea Sprinter

Launched in 2021, the Azalea Sprinter is operated by short line freight carrier CaterParrott Railnet. All trains depart from Nashville with trips running as far as either Willacoochee, Moody or Valdosta. 

The property's heritage can be traced back to the Georgia & Florida, which later became part of the Central of Georgia Railway system.  

Accommodations for this rides currently include a streamlined stainless-steel coach, streamlined stainless-steel table car (providing light snacks and souvenirs), and caboose for private parties.

There are three trips offer: the Willacoochee Special, Valdosta Special, and Pizza Express.

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

One of the most popular tourist railroads in Georgia is the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway (BRSR), an independently operated attraction which acts as a division of the Georgia Northeastern, a successful short line freight carrier.  

The BRSR is located in the state's northwestern mountains and operates over 13 miles (26-mile round trip) of a former Louisville & Nashville branch line that was originally part of the Marietta & North Georgia Railroad, the famed "Hook & Eye." 

It all began with the chartering of the Ellijay Railroad was chartered in 1854.  After years of inactivity it came under new ownership in 1867 and renamed as the Marietta & North Georgia. 

After another 20 years of starts and stops it was completed from Marietta to Murphy, North Carolina in 1887 (107 miles).  The current operation has become quite popular since it opened to the public in 1998.

Part of its success is thanks to the Blue Ridge Mountains' breathtaking scenery; another is due to the many different special trips and events hosted throughout the year.

SAM Shortline Excursion Train

The SAM Shortline Excursion Train is a beautiful operation that features nearly a 70-mile round trip along a former Seaboard Air Line corridor that passes five small towns (Cobb, De Soto, Leslie, Americus, and Plains) between its home base of Cordele and Archery. 

Of these, stops are made in Leslie, Americus, Plains, and Archery where passengers can disembark for a short time. 

The excursion also skirts the Georgia Veterans State Park while other sites include:

• Lake Blackshear Resort & Golf Club, Rural Telephone Museum (Leslie)


• Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village (Americus), Café Campesino (Americus)


• Rylander Theatre (Americus)


• Windsor Hotel (Americus)


• President Jimmy Carter’s Campaign Museum (Plains)


• President Carter’s childhood home (Archery)

The tourist train also hosts a number of special trains and events throughout the year.

St. Marys Railroad

The St. Marys Railroad is long-time, short line freight carrier serving the local region around St. Marys near the coast. 

However, recently they have branched out into the excursion business and now host a various selection of scenic train rides throughout the year, some of which are special events.  To learn more please visit their website by clicking here.

The Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad, part of the Stone Mountain Park attractions.

Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad

The Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad is part of the Stone Mountain Park providing trips through open-air cars over about 4 miles of track. 

The equipment sports a gorgeous livery of green with grey with yellow trim that is loosely based from the historic Central of Georgia's design. The history of this tourist line is quite interesting.  

Unlike most such organizations which have reused would-be abandoned, mothballed, or dormant main lines or branches the Stone Mountain route is actually a former spur.  

This term usually describes a very short stretch of track departing from a main line to serve an industry or some other type of customer.  In this particular case the tracks were constructed just after the Civil War by the Stone Mountain Granite Company to serve quarries at base of Stone Mountain.  

Relatively long for a typical spur it was nearly 4 miles in length and swung around the mountain, connecting with the Georgia Railroad's main line in Stone Mountain.