Macon, Dublin and Savannah Railroad

The Macon, Dublin, and Savannah Railroad (reporting mark MDS) was chartered in 1885 as the Macon and Dublin Railroad.[1] It was built to connect its namesake towns, Macon and Dublin. Eventually, it became a 96-mile short line operating between Macon and Vidalia.

Macon, Dublin, and Savannah RS-2 1700 on the Turntable of the Macon Shops. 1700 was of the first ordered from ALCO

History

The construction of the Macon to Dublin line lasted from 1885 to 1892. The railroad was restructured during this time, and between the years of 1901 and 1902, the construction of the line from Dublin to Vidalia was completed.[1] In 1906, the Atlantic Coast Line purchased the railroad, and only a few months later, after realizing it was unprofitable, sold it to a group of investors. In 1907, it was sold to the Seaboard Air Line.[2] The Seaboard Air Line, and its successors, owned it until 1990. In 1950, the MD&S purchased three RS-2s from American Locomotive Company, numbered 1700–1702.[3] By 1955, they had purchased more ALCOs this time in the form of RS-3s, numbered 1703-1706[4] and converted their fleet to diesel. However, this did not last long, as they were completely absorbed into the SAL by 1957. It is important to remember that Seaboard also owned the Savannah, Americus, and Montgomery, which extended from Vidialia the rest of the way to Savannah. Between the years of 1957–1990, it was just another feeder line for Seaboard. The Seaboard Coast Line made many improvements between the cities of Macon and Dublin, including welded rail, and new ties. This was due to the Kaolin industry booming in this region at the time. Not only that, but they put concrete ties under the sidings for all of the industries. Later, the line went to the Seaboard System, and to CSX. In 1990, It was sold to Rail Link, and operated as the Georgia Central Railway.[5] In 2004, Rail Link was acquired by Genesee & Wyoming, who continues to operate the line to this day.[6]

References
  1. "HawkinsRails - Macon, Dublin & Savannah". hawkinsrails.net. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  2. "Macon, D. & S. R. Co. v. Commissioner, 40 B.T.A. 1266, 1939 BTA LEXIS 739 – CourtListener.com". CourtListener. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  3. "Alco "RS-2" Locomotives: Data, History, Photos & More". American-Rails.com. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  4. "Alco "RS-3" Locomotives: Data, History, Photos & More". American-Rails.com. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  5. "HawkinsRails - Georgia Central". hawkinsrails.net. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  6. "Georgia Central Railway". www.gwrr.com. Retrieved January 20, 2021.


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