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Georgia's only state-owned passenger train still staying busy

October 24, 2005

Cordele-- The S.A.M. Shortline Excursion train is Georgia's only state-owned passenger train.  Tomorrow it will celebrate its third year in business. So far,  more than 35,000 people ride the train each year.

It's all aboard for passengers on the S.A.M. Shortline Excursion train.

"It makes a good one day trip," says train passenger Charlie Scarborough.  This is Charlie's second time on the train.  He says each time is like a step back in history.

"I remember riding them when I was in the army and that brings back lots of memories to me," he says. 

The train travels through several towns including Cordele, Leslie, Americus, Plains, and Archery. The ride there, gives passengers, like Scarborough, a chance to enjoy the countryside scenery.

"We've been over Lake Blacksheare, and these creeks, and these trussels and all of that is part of what makes a train a train," he says.

Passengers can also explore the history of each town. "They have automobiles, and other relics of the past that's just interesting," says Scarborough. 

Points of interest includes a stop to former-president Jimmy Carter's boyhood home and farm in Archery, and a visit to the Georgia Rural Telephone Museum in Leslie.

 "This is my first time riding the train," says Camron Ricketson.

So far Camron has enjoyed every minute of it. "You get to go into these stores after you stop, and then you get to go into the telephone museum," he says.

With plenty to see and plenty to do, conductor Al Mills says people come from all over just to ride the train.

"They're all over the country. Matter of fact, we've had some all over the world come from Europe, Asia, etc."says the conductor.

Mills says riding a train definitely has its perks. "You see the countryside you wouldn't see in a car or ship, and you see it like it is, you see the way it used to be, how people used to travel in the old days."

While train travel isn't the typical way to get around anymore, Mills says it's something everyone should experience.

"It's really an American experience that many people have never tried, and they need to because it's part of our heritage," says Mills.

The train is currently running its Grand Express route. From now until December 10, if a granparent brings their grandchild, the grandchild can ride the train for free.

For more information on the S.A.M. Excursion train, visit their website at www.samshortline.com.

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