Fall Meeting Scheduled for Nov. 6, 2021

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The fall membership meeting of the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society, Inc., has been scheduled for Saturday, November 6, 2021. It will include visits to various railroad sites in the Stillmore, Ga., area, as well as a dedication ceremony for the Society’s flat car and a membership meeting (including elections for Board of Directors) in Savannah, Ga. (Note: Details were included in the July-Sept issue of The Right Way.)

We’ll meet at 9:00 a.m. that morning in Stillmore, Ga., and will spend the morning visiting sites related to the three railroads that served Stillmore —Stillmore Air Line (became part of the Wadley Southern), Bruton & Pineora (became part of the Central of Georgia), and the Millen & Southwestern (became part of the Georgia & Florida).

We’ll then leave for Savannah (about an hour’s drive).

The dedication ceremony for the Society’s 1925 CofGa flat car will be held in the Passenger Car Shop at the Georgia State Railroad Museum in Savannah around 2:00 p.m. Members will have the opportunity to see the Museum’s other CofGa equipment at this time, including caboose X59 that recently arrived.

While at the Museum for the dedication, we’ll have our annual business meeting, which will include elections for Board of Directors.

There is no cost to attend, but members should register in advance by sending an e-mail to allen@cofga.org. Please be sure to note how many will
be in your group, and include an e-mail or telephone number to contact you should there be a need to cancel or alter our plans.

Note that wearing masks and social distancing will be encouraged! Anyone feeling sick that day should not attend!

“The Right Way” Vol. 25, No. 3 Mailed to Members

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The July–September 2021 issue of The Right Way, the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society’s official publication, was mailed to members on Friday, September 30, 2021.

Articles include:

  • When Two Trains Met at Fort McPherson
  • More on CofGa Public Time Tables
  • “Ideal Site at Port of Savannah, Ga.”
  • C. G. News

Membership expiration is based on the last issue that a member is to receive. A one year membership in the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society always includes four issues of The Right Way (regardless of the publication date). This ensures that each member receives the full benefit of their membership.

2022 Calendar Now Available

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The Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society is pleased to announce the publication of our new 2022 Central of Georgia calendar. The 13-month calendar features color photographs of passenger and freight trains (including steam and diesel) at Atlanta, Columbus, and several other cities on the CofGa. Important dates in the history of the Central of Georgia and subsidiary lines are also included.

Most of the images used in the 2022 calendar are from the Society’s collection. The calendar is available from our online store here and at all of the train shows we attend.

“The Right Way” Vol. 25, No. 2 Mailed to Members

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The April–June 2021 issue of The Right Way, the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society’s official publication, was mailed to members on Wednesday, August 25, 2021.

Articles include:

  • More on Changing Direction at Americus
  • A Look at CofGa Public Time Tables
  • Selling Service with Billboards (Part 2)
  • C. G. News

Membership expiration is based on the last issue that a member is to receive. A one year membership in the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society always includes four issues of The Right Way (regardless of the publication date). This ensures that each member receives the full benefit of their membership.

“The Right Way” Vol. 25, No. 1 Mailed to Members

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The January–March 2021 issue of The Right Way, the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society’s official publication, was mailed to members on Wednesday, June 9, 2021.

Articles include:

  • Selling Service with Billboards (Part 1)
  • Changing Direction at Americus
  • Two Diesels at East Point in 1958
  • C. G. News

Membership expiration is based on the last issue that a member is to receive. A one year membership in the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society always includes four issues of The Right Way (regardless of the publication date). This ensures that each member receives the full benefit of their membership.

Spring Meeting Scheduled for May 8, 2021

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The spring 2021 meeting of the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society, Inc., will be held Saturday, May 8, 2021, in the Durham, Ga., area, and will include visits to several sites related to the CofGa’s Durham Branch. (The October–December 2020 issue of The Right Way noted that a meeting was being planned.)

We will meet at 9:30 a.m. that morning in Chickamauga, Ga., and will spend the remainder of the day at various CofGa-related sites. Members will need to drive their own vehicles to the various sites, though limited carpooling will be possible.

Much of the day will be spent walking outdoors, so please dress for the weather, wear good shoes (or hiking boots), and bring insect repellent! We should finish by around 3:00 p.m.

The meeting is open to CGRHS members and immediate family members. Though there is no cost to attend, registration is necessary. (Note that wearing masks and social distancing will be encouraged!).

A postcard with specific information will be mailed to all current members.

“The Right Way” Vol. 24, No. 4 Mailed to Members

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The October–December 2020 issue of The Right Way, the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society’s official publication, was mailed to members on Thursday, March 11, 2021.

Articles include:

  • The “Remarkable Record” for Package Cars
  • A Day in April 1966
  • “Service is the Watchword!”
  • C. G. News

Membership expiration is based on the last issue that a member is to receive. A one year membership in the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society always includes four issues of The Right Way (regardless of the publication date). This ensures that each member receives the full benefit of their membership.

Central of Georgia Caboose X59 Donated to Museum

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Central of Georgia caboose X59 has been donated to the Georgia State Railroad Museum in Savannah, Ga. The car has been privately owned since 1971, though its existence wasn’t known to the Society until recently.

Caboose X59 was built at the Macon, Ga., shops about 1927 (original number not known). The car is in extremely good condition, and still has its trucks, couplers, and brake equipment. Most of the interior fixtures are still intact. The car has plywood siding as well as the post-merger brake wheel stands and steel C-channel end sills.

The Georgia State Railroad Museum (operated by Coastal Heritage Society) is currently seeking donations to assist with the cost of moving the car from its current location in Maryland to Savannah. This will include the use of cranes for both loading and unloading, and two flat-bed trailers (one for the body, another for the trucks). Due to the size, special permits will be needed.

If you would like to help with the moving expense of X59, you can send a check, payable to Coastal Heritage Society, to the address below. Please be sure to include “Caboose X59” on the memo line. Note that an anonymous donor has pledged to match all donations received by the museum for X59.

Coastal Heritage Society
P.O. Box 642
Savannah, GA 31402

The Coastal Heritage Society is a nonprofit 501(c)3 charitable organization. All donations are tax deductible. Consult your tax advisor for details.

 

Current view of CofGa caboose X59. (Photographer unknown)

 

Current view of trucks of CofGa caboose X59. (Photographer unknown)

 

CofGa caboose X59 at Fort Valley, Ga., May 29, 1963. (Photographer unknown, Collection of the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society)