Georgia DOT's acquisition of ex-SAL Bainbridge-Columbus Line

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Fom what I've read in the latest issue of Trains magazine as well as newspaper articles, etc. here on the internet, the Georgia DOT has purchased from the Georgia Southwestern/RailAmerica (formerly Railtex) the ex-Seaboard/G,F,&A track between Bainbridge to just north of Cuthbert, the track segment between Cusseta to Columbus, and the abandoned right of way between these two segments (the trackage here was severely washed out during the 1994 floods, so Railtex acquired parallel trackage and trackage rights from Norfolk Southern rather than make repairs). The Georgia DOT already owns another ex-Seaboard track in the area, the Vidalia-Mahrt, AL segment of the old Montgomery line which is currently operated by the Heart of Georgia Rwy.

Does anyone who the operator will be/is and what sort of motive power they'll be using? Did the Georgia DOT purchase the Georgia and Alabama (ex-CofG Eufaula-Ozark,AL) trackage as well? I've heard that the State's purchase may be sort of a consolation to the southwest Georgia counties for the upcoming discontinuance of barge navigation on the Chattahoochee River, does anyone know if that's the case?

-- Eric Rickert (au_tiger777@hotmail.com), May 04, 2002

Answers

georgia has bought alot of ROW recently... i seriously doubt any of it will ever see rail traffic again however, may ask someone on the southern railway board, georgia has bought alot of ex-sou and CoG row as well

-- troy nolen (tnolen12@tampabay.rr.com), May 07, 2002.

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