Georgia Southern Railway 912 in Statesboro, GA November 28, 2018.
(Fair use, Title 17, Section 107, via https://www.youtube.com/@csxnstrainman)
GEORGIA SOUTHERN RAILWAY (GS)
The Georgia Southern Railway (GS) operates two shortline segments totaling 58 miles of track in central Georgia. The railway is currently owned by Patriot Rail. The Perry to Fort Valley, and Allon, segment (Fort Valley Division) spans 30 miles, utilizing a combination of former Central of Georgia and Southern secondary lines that converged in Fort Valley. Notably, operations are inactive between Fort Valley and Allon. The Meter to Dover line, known as the Statesboro Division, covers an additional 28 miles.
Operations
Both the Fort Valley and Statesboro Divisions were formerly operated by the Georgia Midland Railway. Georgia Midland had acquired these lines in 2004 from the Ogeechee Railway, which was a shortline startup established in 1989. Pioneer Lines then purchased the lines from Georgia Midland's parent company in 2009. In a significant development, Georgia Southern was acquired by Patriot Rail in August 2022, following Patriot Rail's purchase of Pioneer Lines. This acquisition integrates the GS into a larger network of shortline railroads.
Interchanges and Connections
The Georgia Southern Railway plays a vital role in regional logistics by interchanging with Norfolk Southern (NS) at both Fort Valley and Dover. This strategic positioning allows for the seamless transfer of goods and contributes to the efficiency of the broader rail network.
Locomotives
| Number | Model | Year Built | History | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEFX 421 | GP39-2 | 1976 | Ex-RARW 1011/KCCX 905. | Assigned to Statesboro. Leased. |
| PREX 1355 | SW1200RS | 1959 | Ex-CN 1355. | Assigned to Fort Valley. Stored. |
| PREX 1816 | GP16 | 1950 | Ex-UTCX 1816/CSX 1816/SBD 4770/SCL 4770/SCL 898/SAL 1718. | |
| PREX 2024 | GP20u | 1961 | Ex-ASRY 2024/ATSF 3035/ATSF 3135/ATSF 1135. | Sold to BUGX. |
| PREX 2053 | GP20 | 1961 | Ex-BN 2049/CBQ 913. | Assigned to Fort Valley. Stored. |
| PREX 2054 | GP20 | 1961 | Ex-ALAB 2054/BN 2054/CBQ 918. | Assigned to Statesboro. |
| LTEX 2269 | Slug | 1962 | Ex-CSX 2269/CSX 6972/BO GP30 6972. | Assigned to Fort Valley. Leased. |
| PREX 3000 | GP20u | 1960 | Ex-ATSF 3000/ATSF 3100/ATSF 1100. | Assigned to Statesboro. |
| LTEX 6404 | GP40-2 | 1978 | Ex-CSX 6404/CSX 6165/CO 4266. | Assigned to Fort Valley. Leased |
Georgia Southern Railway in Statesboro, GA 11/28/18
Georgia Southern Railway Overview
Parent company: Patriot Rail
Headquarters: Greenwood Village, Colorado
Reporting mark: GS
Locale: Central Georgia
Dates of operation: 2004-present
Predecessor: Georgia Midland Railway
Technical
Track gauge: 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Length: 58 mi (93.3 km)
