Macon, Dublin and Savannah Railroad

The oldest predecessor of the MD&S was the Griswoldville & Jeffersonville Railroad Company, incorporated in 1872.[2] However, 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] The railroad had plans to continue to Savannah, but these fell out, mostly due to the Central of Georgia not wanting to have a competitor. [3][4]They were also granted some land in Macon to be used as a shop complex.[5] In 1906, the Atlantic Coast Line purchased the railroad, and only a few months later, realizing it was unprofitable, sold it to a group of investors. In 1907, it was sold to the Seaboard Air Line.[6] The Seaboard Air Line, and its successors, owned it until 1990. In 1950, the MD&S purchased three RS-2 diesel locomotives from American Locomotive Company, numbered 1700–1702.[7] By 1955, they had purchased four more ALCOs, this time in the form of RS-3s, numbered 1703-1706[8] and converted their fleet to diesel. However, MD&S did not last long as an independent entity, being absorbed into the SAL by 1957. Importantly, Seaboard also owned the Savannah, Americus, and Montgomery, which extended from Vidalia to Savannah. Between 1957 and 1990, it was a feeder line for the Seaboard. The Seaboard Coast Line made many improvements between Macon and Dublin, including welded rail, and new ties. This was due to the Kaolin industry booming in this region at the time. Upgrades included even 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.[9] In 2004, Rail Link was acquired by Genesee & Wyoming, which continues to operate the line.[10]