Hi. I have two questions. My first one is when did the Nancey Hanks II make its final run? I was at the Georgia HS today looking up different things and they have an article on the Nancey Hanks II's final trip in 1971. I am confused because I thought that the CofG was part of Southern in 1963. Maybe I read it wrong, but if anyone could give me some help here please do.

Thanks, Jason

-- Jason Castine (Multivortexf5@hotmail.com), June 13, 2002

Answers

The history of the Nancy Hanks II is covered at:

http://cofg.org/varnish.html#NancyHanksII

To reach this link from the CofGa Rwy HS Home Page, cofg.org, just follow the "Passenger" link under "Railway" in the left hand navigation bar.

Sincerely,

Ron. Wright

-- Ron. Wright (rondywright@hotmail.com), June 13, 2002.

The Nancy Hanks II made its last run on April 30, 1971. Southern Railway purchased control of the CofG from the SL-SF in 1960, and placed the stock in trust pending permission from the Interstate Commerce Commission to exercise management control. This was granted in 1963 and control passed to the Southern on June 17, 1963.

The Southern continued to operate the Central as a separate company (it still is a subsidiary of the Norfolk Southern Corporation), but the Central's identity was gradually eroded as locomotives were repainted in the Southern's black/imitation aluminum(gray) scheme and the divisions were realigned with the Southern's. The last separate CofG public timetable was issued in December, 1966, with a January, 1967, date. Effective with the next timetable, the Central's schedules were included in the SouRy system folder. The locomotives, though in the Southern's paint scheme, and cars continued to carry Central of Georgia lettering.

Although the Central of Georgia, I believe, still exists as a corporation, it was fairly well eradicated as a visible entity by the early 1970's when the Southern began putting its name on the locomotives and cars and indicated CofG ownership only by small sublettering placed beneath the engine number on the side of the locomotive cab.

Long response, but I hope it answers your question.

Bob Hanson

-- Robert H. Hanson (RHanson669@aol.com), June 13, 2002.