Alabama (located along the Chattahoochee River near Cottonton) on April 20, 1986. The remaining line from Mahrt to Rhine, Georgia was sold by CSX Transportation to the Georgia Southwestern Railroad on June 5, 1989. Georgia Southwestern ended operations on the line from Preston to Mahrt in 1999, and the state of Georgia acquired the segment and sought a new operator for the line. The Heart of Georgia Railroad was created in 1999 for the purpose of operating the line on behalf of the state. On May 22, 2000, the state purchased the remaining portion of the line not already under their ownership between Omaha, Georgia and the end of the line across the Chattahoochee River in Mahrt as well as an additional between Rochelle and Preston retained by the Georgia Southwestern. The Heart of Georgia took over operations of the line from the Georgia Southwestern in 2000. Current conditions The former Savannah, Americus and Montgomery Railway from Savannah to Vidalia is currently operated by the Georgia Central Railway, who also operates the former Macon, Dublin and Savannah Railroad. From Vidalia west to a point near Preston, Georgia is still operated by the Heart of Georgia Railroad. On February 7, 2017, Genesee & Wyoming purchased the Heart of Georgia (who also owns the Georgia Central Railway). The line is still in place from Preston west to Mahrt, Alabama, but that segment is out of service. The Heart of Georgia Railroad also hosts the SAM Shortline Railroad heritage train of about 45 miles between Archery, Georgia and Cordele. The name SAM Shortline is a reference to the Savannah, Americus and Montgomery Railway. The train is managed by the Southwest Georgia Railroad Excursion Authority with the HOG providing the locomotives and operating crews. Historic stations References Defunct Georgia (U.S. state) railroads Defunct Alabama railroads Narrow gauge railroads in Georgia (U.S. state) Narrow gauge railroads in Alabama Predecessors of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad Railway companies established in 1888 Railway companies disestablished in 1895 3 ft gauge railways in the United States Seaboard Air Line Railroad