Organized in 1833 by Savannah businessmen, the Central of Georgia Railway was chartered by the Georgia Legislature as the Central Rail Road & Canal Company. The line, connecting Savannah to the interior of the state, boosted the coastal city's seaport, which had lost business to Charleston because of the South Carolina Rail Road's inland reach. In 1843, the Central was extended from Savannah to the outskirts of Macon, and after nearly 120 years of successful operation, the Central of Georgia Railway was purchased by Southern Railway. By 1982, it became merely an accounting entry in the books of Norfolk Southern, a major transportation company.
Central of Georgia Railway is an insightful journey documenting the evolution of railway travel while recognizing the hard work and dedication of the people who made it possible. With over 200 images from the Atlanta History Center's photographic collection-many taken during the late 1940s and mid-1950s by the railroad's company photographers-authors Jackson McQuigg, Tammy Galloway, and Scott McIntosh have created an enduring tribute that captures the spirit of a company at the height of its operation.