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At Experiment, GA, just N of the Georgia Experimental Station and the point where the former Central of Georgia line to Chattanooga left the Atlanta main. This point is just N of Griffin, GA also. For some reason, Norfolk Southern has left most of the rails in place on abandoned/out-of-service railroads around Griffin. The rails have been paved over at grade crossings. (Photo from August 2002)

This line was originally built by the Savannah, Griffin & North Alabama Railroad in 1870 and extended from Experiment (just N of Griffin) to Esmond, Rio, Vaughn, Brooks, Senoia and on to Newnan, GA. It was extended to Carrollton in 1872. By 1881, it was operated in conjunction with the Central of Georgia. In November 1890, the SG&NA was sold at foreclosure to the Savannah & Western Railroad. In 1891, the S&W bought the Chattanooga, Rome and Columbus Railroad, a 140-mile line from Carrollton to Chattanooga, TN. The Chattanooga line from Griffin to Chattanooga was now complete. But first, the S&W and the Central of Georgia entered receivership, and federal courts separated the CR&C from the S&W and returned it to the original owners. The Savannah and Western was sold at judicial sale in October, 1895. It was conveyed to the newly reorganized Central of Georgia Railway in December 1895. The Central of Georgia reacquired the CR&C in 1901, and again the line from Griffin to Chattanooga was in hand. This line came to be known as the "C-Line".

This line to Chattanooga was a key route of the CofG, but when the Central was absorbed into the Southern Railway, its days were numbered. The section from Experiment (Griffin) to Senoia was deemed to be unnecessary, it is was taken out of service in the 1990s. Most of the rail is still in place, particularly around Griffin. Rumor has it that NS had included plans for re-opening the line in their capital improvement outlook for 2001. However with the downturn in the economy, as well as the disastrous Conrail assimilation, plans have been semi-permanently shelved. These used to be busy rails for the Central of Georgia line to Chattanooga. The fence of the Georgia Experiment Station near Griffin can be seen in the background. Scenes from the former spur to the Dundee Mills Rushton Plant in Griffin, GA. The spur comes off of the former Central of Georgia Atlanta main and crosses the road. And then becomes a sidewalk! Most interesting use of an abandoned railroad that I have seen. The abandoned spur line/sidewalk follows the city street in Griffin for almost a mile. Note that the railroad crossing signs are still in place. It is very interesting how Griffin leaves abandoned rails and other items in place! And then the spur ambles into the Rushton Plant in Griffin.

These used to be busy rails for the Central of Georgia line to Chattanooga. The fence of the Georgia Experiment Station near Griffin can be seen in the background.

The spur comes off of the former Central of Georgia Atlanta main and crosses the road.

And then becomes a sidewalk! Most interesting use of an abandoned railroad that I have seen.

The abandoned spur line/sidewalk follows the city street in Griffin for almost a mile. Note that the railroad crossing signs are still in place. It is very interesting how Griffin leaves abandoned rails and other items in place!