Several trains are operating
on the lines every day. In the G&O era, the Thomasville job started
in Camilla late in the afternoon and went first north to Albany. Then it
turned around south to Thomasville to interchange with CSXT. Then it came
back to Camilla for the night and generally the weekend. The Valdosta job
left Albany early morning every weekday sometimes even on Saturdays, and
came back the same day. The job from Adel to Perry (Foley) started around
7 PM out of Adel then went down to Quitman. There, it waited for the CSX
local (Thomasville-Perry) to clear the junction. The run to Sylvester ran
rarely until peanut season in late August early September.
Ochlockonee, Ga; May 1998. On previous outings, I had noticed the Thomasville turn was running
late in the afternoon on weekdays. One day after work, I head for Thomasville
and then up the old ACL line. I locate the southbound train switching the
rock plant in Meigs north of Ochlocknee. A little while later, I catch
it north of the depot. While waiting, I get to take a look at some MOW
equipment.
Pelham, Ga; July 1998. The Thomasville turn just switched some grain cars at SE Pelham and
resumes its trip to Thomasville. Camilla, Ga; March 1999. On my way to the Albany Model Train Show, I catch the current consist
of the Thomasville turn. This ex-NS SW1500 does not even have flexicoil
trucks.
Rough ride???
Albany, Ga; March 1999. Shame a picture cannot talk.
You would hear 3832 screaming as it pulls the transfer job from the NS
yard up to the yard from the bridge over the Flint river. You would also
hear the engineer call for a pusher from the ready track, just in case
she stalls. Fortunately, 3832 wins the battle that day, but barely!!!!
After the torture, the engine is left to cool down on the ready track.
That was the last train movement I saw of the Gulf
& Ohio era in Albany.
