SAM Shortline Train at Georgia Veterans State Park — Attraction in Georgia

Our visit was for the 1st of July 2023 fireworks display.  The train departed from Georgia Veterans State Park and traveled to Leslie, Americus, and ended in Plains for the fireworks and the return trip to Cordele.

Traveling to Plains was during the daylight afternoon and early evening, giving a glimpse of the Georgia countryside not seen from the highways.  The pecan orchards were beautiful as well as other crop fields.  Passing through small towns was also from a perspective not gotten from the area highways.

Although our fare included a snack bag, our car, Americus, was adjacent to a car that served a light eating fare, hot dogs and sandwiches, at a reasonable cost.  Naturally, as this was an evening trip and our return to Cordele would be after most, if not all restaurants closed, we made a visit for hot dogs and a chicken sandwich.  When you see the picture of the condiments on the hot dog, keep in mind that they were added on a train that was traveling at 30 MPH and had a little side to side rock to it.

The fireworks were dwarfed by any you would see around Atlanta, but the enthusiastic attendants more than made up for it with their enjoyment of this special American Holiday.  Truly a Special Event.

The return trip was in the dark, not much to see, but allowed for a conversation time with your traveling friends and loved ones.

Short Line train travels are not going to be around for ever.  Something for consideration regardless of their...

Probably the most fun day we had on our visit to the area. The train is staffed by volunteers and is a non-profit. We had a table seat on the train, in reality I think the regular cars with seating is more comfortable. On the return trip we moved to the bench seating (which was upholstered and comfy) and enjoyed the views. The train boards at Georgia Veterans State Park. On excursion had 2 stops. One in America’s where there is a bounty of historic buildings, food and shipping. Tour the historic hotel and walk the downtown area for the best views. (A trolley meets you st the train station and transports you to the downtown area for free - tips appreciated.) The second stop is in the tiny,quaint town of Plains. There is so much history and cool things to see in Plains from the Jimmy Carter Center (the old school that Jimmy Carter attended), Billy Carter’s gas station, a small park (clean restrooms), a butterfly garden (Rosalyn Carter’s) and the best Peanut ice cream ever! All in this tiny area! The return trip was uneventful and relaxing after a long day. Highly recommend this for families and...

My Husband and I along with my Sister and her Husband enjoyed a Saturday on a Sams Shortline Train Ride Excursion. It was relaxing and fun. It was fairly hot that day but the train cars are air-conditioned. We found some cold yummy peanut butter ice cream at one of the towns the train stopped at for sight seeing and shopping. This is a pleasant outing for couples as well as groups looking for something unique and...