St.
Marys Waterfront |
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St.
Marys, Georgia, the gateway to Cumberland Island
National Seashore, and home of Kings Bay Sub-Base
located in southeast Georgia remains one of Georgia's
best kept secrets, a place rich in history, natural
beauty, Southern charm and warm hospitality. |
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Box
car laoded with Kraft Paper shipping out. |
The city of St. Marys dates back to the mid-1500s
and was established as a town by the English in 1787.
The railroad charter was granted by the State of Georgia
in 1865. The St. Marys Railroad took root when Captain
Lemuel Johnson supervised the first railroad from 1908
until his death in 1918. The first engines, #207 and #
308 were steam engines.
The railroad was first known as the St. Marys and Kingsland
Railroad. The name then changed to Atlantic, Waycross
and Northern ( A.W. & N.).
On January 24, 1918 the railraod was sold to Southern
Fertilizer and Chemical Comapny in Savannah, Georgia.
The name was once again changed to the St. Marys Railroad
as it remains today.
The Toonerville Trolley was used in the late 1920's. This
Model T Truck frame with rail wheels carried passengers
and mail from St. Marys to Kingsland. The City still uses
the Toonerville at special events through the streets
of historic St. Marys.
In 1939 the railroad was sold to St. Marys Kraft Corporation,
a subsidary of Gilman Paper Company. In 1945, the first
diesel enginewas used. Diesel Engine #500 was called the
"Goat".The railroad consist of engines, flats,
cars, hoppers and tank cars. They transport coal, pulpwood
chips, chemicals, paper and other raw materials. |
In
1955, a four mile spur was added to service the United
States Army Ammunitions storage terminal at Kingsbay.
St. Marys Railroad
has become one of the most efficient short-line railroads
in the country. Eleven miles of track join St. Marys
to Kingsland where the interchange occurs for CSXT.
The St.Marys Railroad offers a full service repair facility.
Engine and car repairs are performed in the local reapir
facilitiestrain in downtown St.Marys.
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Engine
#504
Railroad House
& Corporate Offices |
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