Following the Toccoa River through the Chattahoochee National Forest, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway offers a variety of train excursions departing from its Blue Ridge village location. The standard four-hour, 26-mile train trip departs from a 1905 historic depot. The train stops for a sightseeing 2.5-hour layover in the quaint sister towns of McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee, where riders can shop, eat lunch or walk across the old town bridge. Trains operate seasonally with a variety of options including holiday specials, event excursions, and rail to raft or tube packages. Wheelchair access is limited; the railroad offers military discounts.
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
241 Depot St.
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
877-413-TRAIN
brscenic.com
The Sam Shortline Excursion travels through the rural country side of northern Georgia, stopping in the cities of Cordele, Leslie, Americus, Plains and Archery as well as at the Georgia Veterans State Park. Riders can begin and end at any of those stops along the way. Attractions within walking distance of the stops include the Georgia Veterans State Park and Military Museum, the Rural Telephone Museum in Leslie, Habitat for Humanity's Global Village in Americus, the Rylander Theatre in Americus and President Carter's Campaign Museum in Plains. The trains operate seasonally and also offer holiday and event excursions as well as private charters.
Sam Shortline Excursion
877-GA-RAILS
samshortline.com
Located at the Stone Mountain Amusement Park, this railroad operates year-round except for the months of January and February, when it is closed. The full-sized train features a 1940s locomotive and open-air coaches with views of a Civil War Memorial that is carved into the mountainside. The five-mile trip takes about 25 minutes from stop to finish and departs every 45 minutes from the Memorial Depot in Crossroads. The train trip includes real-life train adventure stories and sing-alongs. The railway is part of a theme park and is wheelchair accessible.
Stone Mountain Park
PO Box 778
Stone Mountain Park, GA 30086
770-498-5690
stonemountainpark.com
