Rail

With over 4,600 miles of active rail lines, Georgia has the largest rail network in the Southeast. Georgia’s location provides direct rail access to the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and Midwest regions of the United States.

Georgia DOT’s Intermodal Division conducts planning and project development for freight, passenger, and commuter rail operations within the state, and the development of the State Rail Plan, which identifies long-range freight and passenger needs.


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Atlanta to Savannah Intercity Passenger Rail

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Railroad Safety
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Atlanta to Charlotte
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Atlanta to Chattanooga
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State Rail Plan
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Locomotive Fuel Tax Program (LFTP)
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Georgia Freight Rail Program​

This freight rail funding program is designed to enhance state investment in freight rail for public benefit. Both Class 1 and Short line rail lines are eligible.

View Program Info

 
 

Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program

The Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program funds projects that improve the safety, efficiency and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail.

View Fact Sheet   FY22 CRISI Grants NOFO Webinar



Rail Map Georgia Railroad Map

 

 

 

 

By the Numbers

Open to the public airports  
4,600
Active Rail Miles
Takeoffs and landings 
465
GDOT Active Miles
Funding  
28
Freight Railroads
Open to the public airports  
5
Tourist Rail Operations
Takeoffs and landings 
4
Amtrak Routes
Funding  
2
Deepwater Ports

Freight Rail

Georgia boasts one of the most extensive freight rail systems in the U.S. that transports more than 196 million tons of freight. The railroad system in Georgia includes 28 freight railroads, including two Class I railroads – Norfolk Southern and CSX, as well as the largest intermodal facility on the East Coast.

Estimated Track Route Mileage

RAILROAD COMPANY MILES
Norfolk Southern1930
CSX Transportation1626

Estimated Track Route Mileage

RAILROAD COMPANY MILES
The Athens Branch (ABR)19
Chattahoochee Bay (CBR)2
Chattahoochee Industrial (CIRR)16
Chattooga & Chickamauga (CCKY)68
First Coast Railroad (FCRD)68
Fulton County Railway (FCR)55
Georgia Central (GCR)152
Georgia & Florida Railway (GFRR)232
Georgia Midlands (GMR)78
Georgia Northeastern (GNRR)100
Georgia Southwestern (GSWR)221
Georgia Woodlands (GWRC)17
Golden Isles Terminal (GITM)19
Great Walton (GRWR)36
Hartwell (HRT)58
Heart of Georgia (HOG)226
Louisville & Wadley (LW)10
Riceboro Southern (RSOR)19
Saint Mary's (SM)18
Saint Mary's West Railroad (SMWR)23
Sandersville (SAN)13
Savannah Port Terminal (SAPT)10
CaterParrott Railnet, LLC (CPR)78



​Passenger Rail

The Georgia Rail Passenger Program consists of a comprehensive plan for two distinct kinds of rail transportation: commuter and intercity trains, and proposed high-speed rail systems.

Daily passenger rail service in Georgia is served by four Amtrak routes, three of which serve coastal Georgia, the Palmetto, Silver Meteor, and Silver Star. The Palmetto operates between New York and Savannah, while the Silver Star and Silver Meteor operate between New York and Miami. Each of the three coastal trains stop in Savannah, and the Silver Star adds a stop in Jesup. North Georgia is served by Amtrak’s Crescent route, which travels between New Orleans and New York City with stops in Atlanta, Gainesville, and Toccoa.


In partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration and neighboring states, Georgia is exploring opportunities for high-speed rail along the federally-designated Southeast Corridor. More information about this multi-state effort can be found on the Southeast Corridor project website: https://www.ncdot.gov/divisions/rail/projects/southeast-corridor/Pages/default.aspx.