Central of Georgia Railway: Preserved Locomotives and Rolling Stock
The legacy of the Central of Georgia Railway lives on through a diverse collection of preserved equipment. From powerful steam engines that drove early commerce to the specialized rolling stock that transported passengers across the region, these artifacts provide a tangible link to the golden age of American railroading.
Today, these pieces of history are scattered across various museums and public sites, serving as educational tools and monuments to industrial engineering.
Key Facts
- Preserved equipment includes a mix of steam and diesel locomotives.
- Significant collections are held by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and the Georgia State Railroad Museum.
- The collection includes specialized Jim Crow passenger cars, reflecting the segregated travel era of the early 20th century.
- Rolling stock includes cars specifically built for famous named trains like the Nancy Hanks II and The Seminole.
- Equipment ranges from 1911 Pullman cars to post-war lightweight cars from 1947.
Preserved Locomotives
The preserved locomotive fleet represents the evolution of motive power, transitioning from the classic 4-4-0 and 2-8-0 steam configurations to modern diesel-electric switchers and road switchers.
Steam Locomotives
- No. 509 (2-8-0): Located at Central City Park in Macon, Georgia.
- No. 349 (4-4-0): On loan from the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and displayed at the Children's Hospital at Erlanger in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
- No. 109 (4-4-0): Later operated as W.T. Smith Lumber Co. 14; currently at the Pioneer Museum of Alabama in Troy, Alabama.
- No. 223 (2-8-0): Preserved at the Georgia State Railroad Museum in Savannah, Georgia.
Diesel Locomotives
- No. 1 (SW-1): A switcher locomotive located at the Georgia State Railroad Museum in Savannah, Georgia.
- No. 109 (RS-3): A road switcher preserved at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
- No. 201 (SD7): Currently painted as Southern Railway 197 and housed at the Virginia Museum of Transportation.
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Preserved Rolling Stock
The rolling stock of the Central of Georgia Railway highlights the social and technical shifts in passenger and freight transport, including the use of heavyweight (older, heavier steel construction) and lightweight (modern, streamlined) designs.
Passenger Cars
Many of the preserved cars were built by the Pullman Company or American Car and Foundry (ACF). A significant portion of these are Jim Crow cars, which were used to enforce racial segregation during the era.
- Cars 606 and 607: Jim Crow cars built by Pullman in 1911 to meet growing passenger demand; owned by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.
- Car 660: Built by ACF in 1947 for the Nancy Hanks II; on display in Meridian, Mississippi.
- Car 661: Built by ACF in 1947 for the Nancy Hanks II; owned by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.
- Car 662: Built by ACF in 1947 for the Nancy Hanks II; owned by the Southeastern Railway Museum and leased to the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.
- Car 527: A 1924 Pullman Jim Crow car later used on The Seminole; owned by the Southeastern Railway Museum.
- Car 906: A complex history starting as Pullman car 623 in 1924, then 528. It served as the only heavyweight on the Man O'War (painted aluminum from 1951-1954), later served on The Seminole and the Southern Steam Specials before arriving at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.
- Car 907: A lightweight Jim Crow car built by ACF in 1947 (originally as 543) for post-war demand; owned by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.
Cabooses
- No. 31580: Built in 1937 at the railway's own shops in Macon, Georgia; located at the New Hope Railroad in New Hope, Pennsylvania.
- No. X-92: Originally built in 1916 as a ventilated boxcar and converted to a caboose in 1942; on display at the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth, Georgia.
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Equipment Summary Table
| Equipment Type | Unit Number | Year/Model | Current Location/Owner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Locomotive | 509 | 2-8-0 | Central City Park, Macon, GA |
| Steam Locomotive | 349 | 4-4-0 | Children's Hospital at Erlanger, TN |
| Diesel Locomotive | 1 | SW-1 | Georgia State Railroad Museum, GA |
| Diesel Locomotive | 201 | SD7 | Virginia Museum of Transportation |
| Passenger Car | 606/607 | 1911 (Pullman) | Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum |
| Passenger Car | 660 | 1947 (ACF) | Meridian, MS |
| Caboose | 31580 | 1937 | New Hope Railroad, PA |
| Caboose | X-92 | 1916/1942 | Southeastern Railway Museum, GA |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which museums hold the most Central of Georgia equipment?
The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and the Georgia State Railroad Museum are among the primary holders of preserved locomotives and rolling stock.
What were the Nancy Hanks II passenger cars?
These were cars (including 660, 661, and 662) built by American Car and Foundry in 1947 specifically for service on the Nancy Hanks II train.
Are there any diesel locomotives preserved from this railway?
Yes, preserved diesels include the SW-1 (No. 1), the RS-3 (No. 109), and the SD7 (No. 201).
What is the history of Caboose X-92?
Caboose X-92 was originally constructed in 1916 as a ventilated boxcar before being converted into a caboose by the Central of Georgia in 1942.
What is a Jim Crow passenger car?
In the context of this collection, these are passenger cars built during the era of legal racial segregation to separate passengers by race.