To the CGHS folks, the GS&F HS needs your assistance please to the following questions:

Can anyone shed some light on the Plant System? DUring my research endeavors on the GS&F Rwy I have occasionally run across references on the Plant System. What was the Plant System and how did they play a role if any to the GS&F Rwy or to any other railways such as the CofGA? Some history on it would be appreciated. Thanks.

-- Mark S. Mosely (MOSEGSF@aol.com), February 20, 2002

Answers

You might also take a look at www.tickhill.com (was www.arkouda.com in previous post but server has been changed) for an interesting story about "The Great Georgia Mail Train Race" the results of which secured a postal contract for the Plant System. They were competing for mail delivery from Savannah to Jacksonvill against the Seaboard system.

-- Lon Gibson (lgibson@tickhill.com), July 09, 2004.

You might also take a look at www.arkouda.com for an interesting story about "The Great Georgia Mail Train Race" the results of which secured a postal contract for the Plant System. They were competing for mail delivery from Savannah to Jacksonvill against the Seaboard system.

-- Lon Gibson (lgibson@arkouda.com), December 11, 2003.

The Plant System was the collective name for the railroads that would eventually become the southern half of the Atlantic Coast Line. These roads were owned by Henry B. Plant. The main railroad of the Plant System was the Savannah Florida and Western Railway which was headquartered in Savannah. This connected with the Charleston and Savannah which was the northernmost Plant line. There were several railroads in Florida that finished out the Plant System. There was also a hotel and the Peninsular and Occidental Steamship Company (P& O) in the Plant System.

-- Sean Beasley (kana67@excite.com), November 24, 2003.

It seems I remember reading somewhere that the Plant System was an early name for the Atlantic Coast Line which was founded by Henry Plant. If I'm wrong about this or if two roads had this name I'm sure someone will correct me.

-- Richard Cole (raracole@prodigy.net), February 20, 2002.