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

 

 

 

2020 Calendar Now Available

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The Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society is pleased to announce the publication of our new 2020 Central of Georgia calendar. The 13-month calendar features color photographs of passenger and freight trains (including steam and diesel) at Macon, Atlanta, Columbus, Augusta, 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. 23, No. 2, Mailed to Members

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The April–June 2019 issue of The Right Way, the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society’s official publication, was mailed to members on Monday, October 1, 2019.

Articles include:

  • More on Cummins Yard
  • The Central’s Fleet of Mighty Diesels (January 1956)
  • Standard Five-Pile Ballast Deck Trestle
  • 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.

CGRHS Fall Meeting to be held November 2–3, 2019, in Savannah, Ga.

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The fall membership meeting of the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society, Inc., has been scheduled for Saturday–Sunday, November 2–3, 2019, in Savannah, Ga. (Note that this is about a month later than our usual meeting date. This change was made to accommodate scheduling restoration work being done on the Society’s flat car!) Our meeting will include visits to various Central of Georgia locations in the Savannah area on Saturday, a membership meeting (including elections for Board of Directors) Saturday night, and a work session on the Society’s flat car on Sunday.

On Saturday, we’ll depart the parking lot of Hope Baptist Church (11100 White Bluff Road, Savannah, GA 31419) at 9:00 a.m. for a bus tour of various CofGa sites. At present, we plan to visit and tour the CofGa Hospital Building and the former Savannah & Atlanta office building.

After lunch, we’ll visit the Georgia State Railroad Museum to see the restoration work being done on the Society’s 1925 CofGa flat car. Members will also have an opportunity to see the Museum’s other CofGa equipment. After leaving the Museum, we’ll visit several other CofGa sites in the Savannah area and should return to the church around 4:00 p.m. (Note that the exact itinerary is subject to change.)

On Saturday at 6:00 p.m., the Society’s Board of Directors will have their annual meeting in the church’s fellowship hall (see address above). Members are welcome to attend this meeting. At 7:00 p.m. that evening, we will have our annual business meeting in the church’s fellowship hall. Following elections for Board of Directors, we’ll have a presentation on the Central of Georgia (exact topic to be determined).

At 9:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, we’ll gather at the Georgia State Railroad Museum for a work session on the Society’s 1925 CofGa flat car. (We have not determined if we’ll be installing the deck on the car, or stenciling the car. We will post that information on the Society’s web site as soon as it is confirmed.)

This year, we are not reserving a block of motel rooms. However, there are numerous motels and restaurants (in all price ranges) near the church where we’ll be departing from Saturday morning and meeting at Saturday evening. Most of those are on or near Abercorn Street in the “Midtown” or “Southside” area of Savannah. (We are able to use the church through the courtesy of a CGRHS member.) If you need additional motel information, please contact Society President Allen Tuten at allen@cofga.org.

Registration for the weekend’s events is $35 per person (or $55 per couple). To register, send your name, address, and number of registrations (include individual names for name tags) to Society Secretary/Treasurer Graham Dean (see address in the last issue of The Right Way).

Payment can be made by check or money order payable to CGRHS. Registration can also be made here using PayPal. Early registration is highly recommended!

More specific details will be posted as available.

“The Right Way” Vol. 23, No. 1, Mailed to Members

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The January–March 2019 issue of The Right Way, the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society’s official publication, was mailed to members on Monday, June 17, 2019.

Articles include:

  • Form 211 – Explosives
  • Cummins Yard
  • “Help Fix the Flat!” Fundraising 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.

CGRHS Spring Meeting to Be Held May 3–4, 2019, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

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The Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society and the Tennessee, Alabamba & Georgia Railway Historical Society will meet jointly in Chattanooga, Tenn., on May 3–4, 2019. There will be an informal meeting and social gathering at 7:00 p.m. Friday, which will include TAG and CofGa movies and presentations, in the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s office building at 4119 Cromwell Road, Chattanooga, Tenn.

At 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning, we’ll meet at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum parking lot to begin our carpool tour of several railfan points of interest in the Chattanooga area, including the former TAG freight depot and general office building, CofGa and TAG yards, the CofGa’s Alton Park industrial trackage, the swing bridge over the Tennessee River, and other places. We will also take a walking trip downtown to understand the
passenger operations at the Georgia Avenue Depot, Central Station, Union Station, and Terminal Station. We’ll return to TVRM during the day to ride the local train (each attendee will need to purchase tickets at TVRM that day).

A handout will provide an overall look at Chattanooga’s CofGa and TAG sites. There is no cost to register, but everyone will be responsible for their own meals and tickets for the local train at TVRM. So, come willing to carpool and to make new friends! Those planning to attend should notify Warren Stephens at: wdstephens@prodigy.net.

Numerous motels are available in the Chattanooga area.

“The Right Way” Vol. 22, No. 4, Mailed to Members

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The October–December 2018 issue of The Right Way, the Central of Georgia Railway Historical Society’s official publication, was mailed to members on Saturday, January 5, 2019.

Articles include:

  • A Central of Georgia Christmas…in 1918!
  • Wadley Southern Railway (Part 3)
  • Orlando Traffic Agency
  • 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.