Georgia Magazine - February 2023 - 28

Around GEORGIA
with tourist trains to set up the experience.
" The first year, we had 18,000 that rode, " Odom says of the
Thomas weekends.
The challenges of being a rolling
state park
The current manager, Chris Lockwood, deals with three
masters: the Georgia DNR, which manages the train and
handles the monetary transactions; the Georgia Department
of Transportation, which owns the track; and the SWGX,
which owns and operates the train.
Because it doesn't fit neatly
into the state-park template,
Lockwood had some interesting
initial discussions about
purchase orders.
" Train brakes are a lot
more expensive than the truck
brakes [the DNR was] used to
replacing, " Lockwood says.
Another challenge has
come from the freight railroad,
the Genesee and Wyoming (G&W).
In 2017, the G&W, a short-line railroad holding company,
took over the operation of the HOG Railroad and contracted
with the state to lease the tracks so it could transport freight for
customers. The state requires that the G&W provide the engines
to pull the SAM passenger train as well as the crew. The SAM
Shortline pays for every trip, but the freight railroad determines
whether the time and equipment are available for trips and how
long the trips will take.
" They didn't want a passenger train, " Coleman says, " so
it became almost a necessary evil with them. Then they [darn]
near killed it by cutting the speed limit to 10 miles per hour. "
A recent $6 million track upgrade has increased the speed
to 25 miles per hour.
Still chugging along
When the excursion train began, the Department of
Natural Resources' assistant director of park operations,
Tommy Bagby, dubbed it a rolling state park. Critics said it
was more like rolling pork, questioning how many people
would drive to Americus to ride a train to Plains.
Twenty years later, the cynics have been proven wrong.
Kinnamon, who has chaired the authority for 20 years and was
elected in 2021 as mayor of Americus, says that the Plains
population of 640 grows by a third on any given Saturday
because of the influx of SAM Shortline customers. Numbers
from the tourism department show that the train brings in
$2 million annually in economic development for the area.
Three vintage, privately owned rail cars have been added
for premium service, and new specials-such as a wine-tasting
train and dinner trains-are selling well. This year's excursions
can be found at samshortline.com.
The train also offers more than just a fun day out for
families.
28 Georgia Magazine February 2023
" It's a great learning opportunity-great exposure to
passenger rail and to the days gone by for the students and
senior citizens groups, " Coleman says.
" People are interested in historical tourism, and there is
nothing more historical than a train like this, " Skipper says.
The train's longevity and ongoing popularity with riders
have been rewarding for its longtime advocates.
" I feel fully vindicated. It is fulfilling the mission of increasing
tourism and economic development, " Kinnamon says.
Borden Black is a freelance writer based in Columbus. She
also owns a 1925 heavyweight business rail car that the SAM
Shortline leases.
Left: The Wine and Cheese Train
excursions feature wines from
Paulk Vineyards in Wray, and guests
receive souvenir wine glasses.
Below: Michael Thomason waves
from the SAM Shortline train. Riders
have an opportunity to learn about
the history of passenger rail.
All aboard!
Here are a few upcoming SAM Shortline excursions, which
depart from and return to Georgia Veterans State Park in Cordele.
To get more information or buy tickets, go to samshortline.com.
* Feb. 11: Valentine's Day Dinner Train: A romantic, two-hour
evening ride offers three seating options, two of which include
dinner on the train.
* Feb. 18, 25: Sumter Explorer: The train takes visitors over Lake
Blackshear and includes stops in Americus and Plains for
shopping and exploring.
* March 4, 11, 18, 25: Presidential Flyer: The excursion explores
the legacy of former President Jimmy Carter, with visits to his
hometown of Plains and his boyhood home in Archery.
BORDEN BLACK
CASEY THOMASON
http://www.samshortline.com http://www.samshortline.com
Georgia Magazine - February 2023

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