CofGa Face Masks Available

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The Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society has produced two different custom-printed cloth face masks featuring CofGa designs. One mask is black with a red monogram and white letters (similar to the CofGa’s steam locomotive lettering), while the other is gray with a yellow monogram and black letters (similar to the lettering on the CofGa’s 50′ “blimp” boxcars). The monograms on both masks measure about 3-3/4″ wide.

The cloth masks are 3-layer 100% cotton and feature integral cloth earloops (not elastic). They are only available in one adult size (about 12-1/2″ in total width, including the earloops) and are designed for everyday use. They are washable and reusable. Note that they may vary slightly in size and fit due to the material.

The face masks sell for $14.00 each, which includes postage.

Due to the extremely limited quantity of these masks, they are only available now through the Society’s online store at www.cofga.org (payment via PayPal). Any masks remaining in stock in the spring will be available at the train shows we attend. However, members are encouraged to order from the online store as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

All clothing items on the online store can be found here.

The gray masks are here, the black masks are here.

2021 Calendar Now Available

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The Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society is pleased to announce the publication of our new 2021 Central of Georgia calendar. The 13-month calendar features color photographs of passenger and freight trains (including steam and diesel) at Atlanta, Columbus, Gordon, and several other cities on the CofGa. Important dates in the history of the Central of Georgia and subsidiary lines are also included.

Most of the images used in the 2020 calendar are from the Society’s collection. The calendar is available from our online store here and at all of the train shows we attend.

 

“The Right Way” Vol. 24, No. 2, Mailed to Members

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The April–June 2020 issue of The Right Way, the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society’s official publication, was mailed to members on Wednesday, August 26, 2020.

Articles include:

  • When 2-8-0 No. 174 Went to the W&T
  • They Fix ʼEm…at Savannah
  • Alternate Route Arrangement Maps (1946) (Part 1)
  • C. G. News

Membership expiration is based on the last issue that a member is to receive. A one year membership in the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society always includes four issues of The Right Way (regardless of the publication date). This ensures that each member receives the full benefit of their membership.

Fall Membership Meeting and Other Events Delayed

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Because of the continuing coronavirus pandemic, the Board of Directors has voted to delay the fall membership meeting of the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society until the spring of 2021 (or until such time that we can have safe gatherings). This delay includes elections for Board of Directors (normally held at the fall membership meeting) as well as the annual meeting of the Board of Directors. All of the incumbent directors have agreed to serve in the interim until elections can be held in the spring.

Additionally, the planned dedication of the Society’s restored flat car has been delayed. Consequently, we are postponing the publication of the final listing of donors and others who have supported the restoration project until we can provide an accurate final report.

“The Right Way” Vol. 24, No. 1, Mailed to Members

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The January–March 2020 issue of The Right Way, the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society’s official publication, was mailed to members on Saturday, May 9, 2020.

Articles include:

  • Rebuilt Low-Side Gondolas for Pig Iron Service
  • An Important Role in Columbus’ Industrial Growth
  • Flat Car Restoration Completed!
  • C. G. News

Membership expiration is based on the last issue that a member is to receive. A one year membership in the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society always includes four issues of The Right Way (regardless of the publication date). This ensures that each member receives the full benefit of their membership.

No Spring 2020 Meeting

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Because of the current virus situation, the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society will not have a Spring 2020 membership meeting.

Though we had previously begun planning for a meeting in mid May, we have decided to cancel those plans.

We look forward to having a fall meeting.

Savannah Prototype Modelers Meet Canceled

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The Savannah Prototype Modelers Meet (RPM) previously scheduled for March 27–28, 2020, has been canceled.

“The Right Way” Vol. 23, No. 4, Mailed to Members

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The October–December 2019 issue of The Right Way, the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society’s official publication, was mailed to members on Wednesday, February 19, 2020.

Articles include:

  • When Fashion Came to the Nancy Hanks II
  • Bridging the Ochillee
  • CofGa Car Repair Improvements (Part 2)
  • C. G. News

Membership expiration is based on the last issue that a member is to receive. A one year membership in the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society always includes four issues of The Right Way (regardless of the publication date). This ensures that each member receives the full benefit of their membership.

“The Right Way” Vol. 23, No. 3, Mailed to Members

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The July–September 2019 issue of The Right Way, the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society’s official publication, was mailed to members on Tuesday, January 14, 2020.

Articles include:

  • CofGa Car Repair Improvements (Part 1)
  • Track Connections (1953–1954)
  • Flat Car Restoration Update
  • C. G. News

Membership expiration is based on the last issue that a member is to receive. A one year membership in the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society always includes four issues of The Right Way (regardless of the publication date). This ensures that each member receives the full benefit of their membership.

Collection of Charlie Poling

Museum Plans to Paint CofGa Passenger Cars in Original Scheme

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In 1945, the Central of Georgia Railway took delivery of six baggage-express cars (CG 453–458) and two baggage-mail cars (CG 473–474) from American Car & Foundry. These smoothside lightweight cars were painted in a new, attractive blue and gray paint scheme. Two years later, in 1947, ten more cars were delivered in that same scheme (open coaches Nos. 660–663, partitioned coaches Nos. 540–543, buffet-lounge No. 690, and coach-baggage No. 390). Some of these cars were for use in the Nancy Hanks II, although others were used on other trains as needed.

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM), located in Chattanooga, Tenn., has several former CofGa passenger cars, including some originally delivered in the blue and gray scheme. The museum has recently announced that it will begin painting some equipment in the paint schemes of the predecessor railroads. One of the first cars slated for repainting under this new policy is former CofGa coach-baggage car No. 390.

Used on the CofGa’s Nancy Hanks II, No. 390 is currently undergoing major repairs at TVRM and is to be ready for the “Santa Claus Special” this Christmas season. However, current plans are to use it in primer colors for this season’s operations, receiving a “finish” coat of paint in the spring.

 

Collection of the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society

 

In recent years, CofGa No. 390 has been painted Pullman green and lettered for Southern Railway. However, there is significant in interest in returning it to its original blue and gray paint scheme. To do this will require approximately $5,000 additional funds, due to the more complex paint scheme. TVRM has created a special account for this purpose titled “Central of Georgia Repaints” and is currently accepting donations which will be used for this purpose only.

Depending on the funds raised, three other former CofGa cars owned by TVRM will also be considered for repainting into their former schemes. These cars are CG 528 (modernized heavyweight coach once painted aluminum with shadow line strips for operation in the Man O’ War and Illinois Central orange and chocolate for operation in the Seminole), and CG 543 and 661 (coaches built in 1947 by ACF along with 390 for the Nancy Hanks II). All four of these cars are in operation and in good condition.

 

Collection of W. E. Mims

To have these other cars painted in CofGa blue and gray will require enough contributions to cover the additional costs of the more complex scheme. TVRM is seeking donations from anyone interested in seeing these cars returned to their original schemes.

If you’d like to help, here’s how:

  • If sending a check, make it payable to TVRM or Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. Please include “Central of Georgia Repaints” on the memo line on the check.
  • If payment is coming from a donor advised fund or a brokerage account (QCD, for instance), be sure to enter “Central of Georgia Repaints” in the restrictions box.
  • If your employer offers matching funds for donations, please be sure to apply for those and include “Central of Georgia Repaints” in the restrictions box

All donations should be sent to:

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum

4119 Cromwell Road

Chattanooga, TN 37421-2119

TVRM is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 educational organization. All donations are tax deductible. Consult your tax advisor for details.

 

Collection of Charlie Poling