Office Cars

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Where are the private office cars that were used by Central officials? I believe they were the Savannah and the Columbus. Have they been restored? If so, where are they located?

-- Pat Seay (prseay@home.com), May 12, 1999

Answers

The "Columbus" is indeed located at the Historic Railroad Shops in Savannah, Georgia. This is the site of the former Central of Georgia shops and roundhouse and is adjacent to the Savannah History Museum (the old Broad Street Station). Because of years of neglect, the "Columbus" is in pretty bad shape. Most, if not all, of the windows have been broken out and are covered with plywood. The exterior has a great deal of rust, although the original Central of Georgia lettering can be seen. The interior of the car suffers from the same neglect, but the original wood paneling is still there, as are alot of the interior fixtures. The car is parked in a roundhouse stall out of the weather, and is undergoing restoration at this time. The "Atlanta" is located at Atlantic Wood Industries, in Port Wentworth, Georgia (about 10 miles from Savannah) but is not accessible to the public. The exterior, although not in original paint, is in extremely good condition, protected from the elements by a specially built shed. The interior is in immaculate condition. All of the original fittings remain, as well as furniture, linens, etc. Two former CofGa employees (including one who worked as a Porter on the "Atlanta") help maintain the car. And the "Savannah," although completey rebuilt from its CofGa appearance, is still in service for Norfolk Southern. At last report, it was parked at the Washington, D.C. passenger station.

-- Allen Tuten (ahtuten@aol.com), May 15, 1999.

In later years, there were three office cars owned by the Central, the "Atlanta", the "Columbus", and the "Savannah". The "Atlanta" is, I believe, on the property of Atlantic Creosoting Co. in Savannah. I do not know its condition. The "Columbus" either has been, or soon will be, moved from Texas to the museum in Savannah. The "Savannah" is owned by Norfolk Southern and was, at last report, used as a hospitality/entertainment car in Washington, DC.

Bob Hanson

-- Robert H. Hanson (RHanson669@aol.com), May 12, 1999.


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