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Field Guide to the Atlanta and St. Andrews Bay Railway

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The Atlanta and St. Andrews Bay Railway was a 156-mile (251 km) long railroad that operated in the southeastern United States from 1888 to 1969. The railroad's main line ran from Atlanta, Georgia, to Panama City, Florida, and it also had several branch lines.

A Field Guide to the Atlanta & St. Andrews Bay Railway

by Mary Hertel

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Language	:	English
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Print length	:	147 pages

The Atlanta and St. Andrews Bay Railway was founded in 1887 by a group of businessmen led by Henry B. Plant. Plant was a successful railroad entrepreneur who had previously built the Plant System, a network of railroads in Florida. The Atlanta and St. Andrews Bay Railway was intended to be a north-south trunk line that would connect Atlanta with the Gulf of Mexico.

Construction of the Atlanta and St. Andrews Bay Railway began in 1888. The first section of the line, from Atlanta to Dothan, Alabama, was completed in 1889. The line was extended to Panama City in 1890. The railroad also built several branch lines, including a line from Dothan to Montgomery, Alabama, and a line from Panama City to Apalachicola, Florida.

The Atlanta and St. Andrews Bay Railway was a successful railroad from the beginning. It carried a variety of freight and passengers, including cotton, timber, and tourists. The railroad also played a role in the development of the towns and cities along its route.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the Atlanta and St. Andrews Bay Railway began to face competition from trucks and airplanes. The railroad's passenger service was discontinued in 1965. The railroad's freight service continued to operate until 1969, when it was sold to the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad.

Rolling Stock

The Atlanta and St. Andrews Bay Railway owned a variety of rolling stock, including locomotives, passenger cars, and freight cars. The railroad's first locomotives were wood-burning steam locomotives. The railroad later acquired coal-burning steam locomotives and diesel locomotives.

The Atlanta and St. Andrews Bay Railway's passenger cars were comfortable and well-equipped. The railroad's passenger cars included coaches, sleepers, and dining cars.

The Atlanta and St. Andrews Bay Railway's freight cars were used to transport a variety of goods, including cotton, timber, and manufactured goods. The railroad's freight cars included boxcars, flatcars, and gondolas.

Stations

The Atlanta and St. Andrews Bay Railway had a number of stations along its route. The railroad's most important stations were in Atlanta, Dothan, Panama City, and Montgomery.

The Atlanta and St. Andrews Bay Railway's stations were typically large and impressive buildings. The stations were designed to accommodate both passengers and freight. The stations also served as community centers for the towns and cities along the railroad's route.

Branch Lines

The Atlanta and St. Andrews Bay Railway had several branch lines. The railroad's most important branch lines were the Montgomery Branch and the Apalachicola Branch.

The Montgomery Branch ran from Dothan to Montgomery, Alabama. The Montgomery Branch was a major route for the transportation of cotton and other agricultural products.

The Apalachicola Branch ran from Panama City to Apalachicola, Florida. The Apalachicola Branch was a major route for the transportation of seafood and other products from the Gulf of Mexico.

The Atlanta and St. Andrews Bay Railway was a major railroad in the southeastern United States for over 80 years. The railroad played a vital role in the development of the region and its economy. The Atlanta and St. Andrews Bay Railway is a reminder of the important role that railroads have played in the history of the United States.