hawkinsrails.net / mainlines / cg

Central of Georgia
The Central Rail Road and Canal Company was organized in 1833 by a group of Savannah businessmen who were concerned that Charleston's new railroad to Augusta would bring a loss of shipping business for their port. Construction of their new line began in late 1835. Meanwhile the company decided to go into the banking business to attract capital investment in the railroad. To better reflect its new interests it changed its name to Central Rail Road and Banking Company of Georgia.

Georgia Railroad History and Heritage

Chartered in 1833, the original Central of Georgia Railway would over the years acquire over 25 other regional pikes before creating a rail network from Chattanooga to Savannah and from Montgomery through Columbus to Atlanta. The CofG would be controlled by both the Illinois Central and the Frisco before finally being acquired by the Southern Railway in 1963. The Southern changed the name to the Central of Georgia Railroad and merged the line with the Savannah & Atlanta and the Wrightsville & Tennille. The CofG exists today as a paper division of the modern Norfolk Southern.

Central of Georgia system map

1955 system map

Motive Power

Central of Georgia #7

Central of Georgia #7

EMD SW1 (1941) / Huntsville, Al / Mar 1969 / JCH

Central of Georgia #2,3,7

  • builder:Electro Motive Division
  • model:SW1
  • type:B-B yard switcher
  • built:1939-53
  • series:660 produced, 3 for CG
  • engine:EMD 567A, 6 cyl. 600 hp
  • notes:
  • CG units later SR #1000,01,03
    all units retired by 1977
Central of Georgia #126

Central of Georgia #126

EMD GP7 (1951) / Huntsville, Al / Mar 1971 / JCH

Central of Georgia #106-132

  • builder:Electro Motive Divison
  • model:GP7
  • type:B-B road switcher
  • built:1949-54
  • series:2610 produced, 14 for CG
  • engine:EMD 567B, 16 cyls. 1500 hp
  • notes:
  • CG units later SR #8216-8229
    all units retired by 1981
Central of Georgia #126

Central of Georgia #126

EMD GP7 (1951) / Huntsville, Al / Mar 1971 / JCH

Central of Georgia #171

Central of Georgia #171

EMD GP18 (1960) / Columbus, Ga / Apr 1969 / collection

Central of Georgia #171-178

  • builder:Electro Motive Divison
  • model:GP18
  • type:B-B road switcher
  • built:1959-63
  • series:350 produced, 8 for CG
  • engine:EMD 567D1, 16 cyl. 1800 hp
  • notes:
  • _________
Central of Georgia #330

Central of Georgia #330

Alco S-2 (1944) / Atlanta, Ga / Apr 1969 / collection

Central of Georgia #329-335

  • builder:American Locomotive Company
  • model:S-2
  • type:B-B yard switcher
  • built:1940-50
  • series:1376 produced, 11 for CG
  • engine:Alco model 539, 6 cyl. 1000 hp
  • notes:
  • originally CG #21-35, renumbered 1966
    all units retired by 1972
Central of Georgia #333

Central of Georgia #333

Alco S-2 (1946) / Atlanta, Ga / Apr 1969 / collection

Central of Georgia #335

Central of Georgia #335

Alco S-2 (1948) / Atlanta, Ga / Apr 1969 / collection

Rolling Stock

Central of Georgia #5505

Central of Georgia #5505

boxcar / Huntsville, Al / Feb 1972 / JCH

Central of Georgia #8718

Central of Georgia #8718

boxcar / Huntsville, Al / Oct 1971 / JCH

Central of Georgia #30208

Central of Georgia #30208

Type R 100 ton crane / Columbus, Ga / Sep 1964 / collection

Lagniappe

Central of Georgia #7

Huntsville, Al / Mar 1969 / JCH

Links / Sources

hawkinsrails.net / mainlines / cg