NS Local G02 heads east across the Ocumulgee River in Macon,GA, this view has been obscured by tree growth since this 2011 shot but a similar view is possible from the Macon Riverwalk for the afternoon westbound trip.
As the heat of summer finally gives way to the cooler days of fall it’s time to prepare for the next round of 21st Century steam excursions in the south. This year’s fall trips will feature Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum’s Southern Railway 2-8-2 No. 4501 and will be the first public excursions in the state of Georgia, bringing steam to territory where it has not been seen since the original NS Steam program. In addition to the weekend excursions the deadhead moves will provide other opportunities to see steam in new territory.
The first set of trips will operate on the former Central of Georgia Railroad Macon to Savannah main line, now the NS Georgia Division Savannah District, between Macon and Tennille, Ga. The trips, dubbed the Nancy Hanks Special after the famous Central of Georgia train that once traversed the route will depart from Macon’s beautifully restored terminal station, marking the first time a passenger train has used the station in decades. The trips will operate Sept. 26 and 27, with two trips per day departing at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. and returning to Macon at noon and 6 p.m., respectively.
NS Local G19 works the Carbo Kaolin plant in McIntyre, GA, this view will be well lit for the morning eastbound run.
The Savannah District can be a difficult line to chase due to the straight profile and limited access but with careful planning one will be able to get multiple shots per trip. The line is CTC territory up to Gordon and dark territory east of there, however trains will still call towns allowing one to keep up with progress over the scanner on AAR 56 (160.950), in addition defect detectors are located at Gordon (174.3), McIntyre (159.4) and Oconee (146.2). While it is possible to photograph the train departing the Macon Terminal Station the rear of the building has been extensively modified and is not very photogenic.
Just east of the station the line crosses the Ocumulgee River on a steel deck bridge, unfortunately tree growth has made shooting the bridge near impossible for the eastbound runs, however the bridge will be shootable for the afternoon westbound run from the Macon Riverwalk. Another classic shot which will be perfectly lit in the morning can be found a mile and a half east of the Ocumulgee Bridge where the line crosses Highway 19 on a vintage concrete overpass with a welcome to Macon sign in the foreground. For chasing highway 19/57 will be the best option, between Macon and Gordon it is a 4 lane divided highway but east of Gordon it reverts to a two-lane road.
After working the Kaolin plants in McIntyre NS G19 returns to the yard in Gordon passing the restored depot which now serves as a museum. The signals guard the interlocking with the Eatonton branch.
In addition, in most places tracks will be a considerable distance from the nearest road so it is best to have locations planned ahead of time as there will be little chance for scouting. The first point of interest is Gordon, Ga., the center of NS’s Kaolin operations which is a mainstay of the Savannah District and NS maintains a large yard west of town which is devoted entirely to Kaolin traffic. While the Kaolin industries provide much of the traffic on the line they are difficult to work into photos, however Gordon, GA boasts a nicely restored depot and historic downtown that will provide a multitude of angles in both directions.
Continuing east Gordon-McIntyre road is the fastest route to the next location of McIntyre which is home to three more Kaolin plants and the massive Carbo plant serves as a great backdrop for the morning eastbound run. Further east the small town of Toomsboro features a dilapidated CofG brick station, similar to those found in Gordon and Tennille, interestingly the entire town including the depot is currently for sale. At Oconee, GA the railroad crosses the town’s namesake river on a former wooden trestle/swing bridge combination that has now been converted to a steel trestle. The bridge can only be accessed via a dirt road while the river is low however good open views are available through town. Between Oconee and Tennille the line passes through totally inaccessible tree tunnels however the town of Tennille does provide many interesting photo opportunities and possibly the chance to see the busy Sandersville railroad switch the interchange.
The bridge over the Oconee River in Oconee, GA. The structure was built as swing bridge with wooden approaches but has now been converted to an all steel structure. This angle will be well lit on the morning trips in both directions.
The train will turn on the Wrightsville & Tennille wye north of downtown and will provide a very rare opportunity to photograph a train on the W&T; though the line is still listed as active there have been no movements on the line south of Tennille in almost a decade. While one cannot expect to get all of these locations on each run two days will be sufficient to get a variety of interesting angle and I hope this guide will help in planning your trip.
The decaying former CofG depot in Toombsoro, GA. The depot will be well lit for the morning eastbound and the afternoon westbound run.
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