Sandersville

Company History: Sandersville began in 1893 as a four mile line running from Sandersville, Georgia to a connection with the Central of Georgia at Tennile. CoG was the principle backer of the line. In 1957, Sandersville was extended 5 miles north to service a large kaolin producing facility. Kaolin has since become the line’s principle commodity although they also haul lumber and plastics.

Kaolin is a form of clay mined in large quantities in Georgia. It is the principle ingredient in porcelain. Most is used to make paper smoother (magazine stock – lots of kaolin, paper towel – not so much.) The white frost of incandescent light bulbs is Kaolin. It also appears in cosmetics, toothpaste and is the active ingredient in Kaopectate! It is shipped in powder form in covered hoppers and as a slurry in tank cars.

For power, Sandersville uses 5 EMD switchers and a slug. All units are MU equipped as the four daily trains tend to be quite long and heavy for a 9 mile shortline. The engines are painted off-white (the color of kaolin.) The line has been owned for most of its history by the Tarbutton family.

Brief History: The U.S. is a country of 50 states covering a vast swath of North America, with Alaska in the northwest and Hawaii extending the nation’s presence into the Pacific Ocean. Major Atlantic Coast cities are New York, a global finance and culture center, and capital Washington, DC. Midwestern metropolis Chicago is known for influential architecture and on the west coast, Los Angeles' Hollywood is famed for filmmaking.