Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad facts for kids
Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad depot (1971 photograph)
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Stone Mountain, Georgia |
| Reporting mark | SMPX |
| Locale | Southeastern United States |
| Dates of operation | 1962–present |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Length | 3.88 mi (6.24 km) |
The Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad is a fun train ride that goes all the way around Stone Mountain Park. It's a standard gauge railroad, which means its tracks are the same width as most trains in the United States. As you ride, you get awesome views of the mountain!
Contents
The Railroad's Journey: A Look at Its History
The Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad uses tracks that were first built a long time ago, in 1869. These tracks were originally an industrial line for the Stone Mountain Granite Company. They helped move granite from the quarries at the base of Stone Mountain to the main Georgia Railroad line in Stone Mountain Village.
Later, people started taking special trips on this line to see the mountain. Eventually, the old tracks were removed, but the path they used to follow remained. In 1960, a new company was formed to build a tourist railroad around the mountain. They worked with the Stone Mountain Memorial Association, which manages the park.
Between 1961 and 1963, about two miles of old quarry tracks were rebuilt. Then, new tracks were added to complete the full circle around the mountain. The ride is advertised as 5 miles long, but it's actually about 3.88 miles.
Changes Over the Years
In 1981, the Stone Mountain Memorial Association took over running the railroad completely. The old steam locomotives needed a lot of repairs, so the railroad decided to use diesel engines instead.
In 1987, the connection to the main CSX train line was fixed. This meant other trains could visit, like the famous Savannah and Atlanta Railway steam locomotive number 750. Because of this connection, the railroad had to follow strict safety rules from the FRA. These rules make sure the tracks, buildings, and trains are kept in good shape for safe operation.
In 1998, the park decided to let Herschend Family Entertainment manage the railroad and other attractions. This company also runs other popular theme parks like Silver Dollar City and Dollywood.
In 2004, the connection to the main train line was removed. The tracks and bridge parts were taken out, but the bridge's main supports are still there. The path where the tracks used to be is now a walking trail. Even without the connection, the railroad still follows the FRA safety rules.
In 2011, the tracks, passenger cars, and diesel locomotives got big upgrades. The diesel engines received new parts and a fresh paint job. The old steam locomotives also got a new look, even though they weren't running. By 2013, the railroad only used diesel locomotives.
Meet the Locomotives: The Engines of the Railroad
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The Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad once had three steam locomotives. They were named "General II," "Texas II," and "Yonah II." These names came from famous engines in a story called The Great Locomotive Chase. The engines were given old-fashioned smokestacks and headlights. However, they were built between 1919 and 1927, so they still looked more modern than the original 1800s engines.
For a while, even when the steam engines weren't working, they would still appear to "pull" the trains. A diesel engine, hidden inside a car that looked like a baggage car, would actually push the steam engine. The diesel's controls were even placed in the steam engine's cab! This way, the steam engine's whistle could still blow, making it seem like it was working.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the railroad started using more diesel engines. These came from another railway called the New Georgia Railway. Soon, the steam engines were only "pushed" on special days, and the diesel engine behind them wasn't hidden anymore. This practice stopped in 2002. The old steam engines were later given to other museums or tourist railroads.
Current Locomotives
The Stone Mountain Railroad currently uses these diesel locomotives:
- 6143 and 6147: These are two FP7A diesel locomotives. They were built in 1950 for the Southern Railway. They later came to Stone Mountain. One of these engines usually pulls the train every day. In 2011, they got major upgrades, making them more powerful and extending their working life for many years.
- #5896: This is a GP7 diesel engine built in 1953. It used to belong to the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. This engine is sometimes used to pull the train when the other diesels are not available. In 2010, it also received many upgrades and a new paint job.
Former Equipment: Where Are They Now?
Many different trains have been part of the Stone Mountain Railroad's history. Here are a few that have moved on to new homes:
- #1910, The Dinky: This was originally an electric streetcar built in 1925. It was changed to run on a diesel motor at the park. Now, you can find it at the Trolley Museum of New York in Kingston, New York.
- #104, The General II: This was a steam locomotive built in 1919. It was the last steam engine to actually run at the park, stopping in 1986. It was later displayed and then donated to the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth, GA, where it is today.
- #110, The Yonah II: This steam locomotive was built in 1927. It was displayed at the park's depot for many years. In 2013, it was donated to the New Hope Valley Railway in Bonsal, North Carolina. They plan to fix it up so it can run again!
- #60, The Texas II: This steam locomotive was built in 1923. It was also displayed at the park. In 2013, it was moved to the Gulf and Ohio Railways in Knoxville, Tennessee. They are working to restore it so it can pull their tourist train, the Three Rivers Rambler.
- #3525, The Big Dixie: This large steam locomotive was built in 1922. It was too heavy for the railroad's tracks at the time, so it was sold shortly after arriving. It is now at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, NC.
