The Sandersville Railroad was founded in 1893.

The Sandersville Railroad currently operates on 10 miles of mainline track. The SAN has one of the last remaining “street running” rail lines in America which is where a railroad runs directly along public streets.  This short, low speed section of track is located on Tybee Street a short distance away from our Corporate headquarters.

The Sandersville Railroad’s main line is comprised of 132- and 136-pound rail.

Our railroad is located in the heart of east central Georgia—two hours from Savannah, two hours from Atlanta, and one hour from both Macon and Augusta.  

Yes, we offer transload options for bulk industrial minerals, agriculture, lumber, and plastics.

One ton of freight can travel 492 miles on one gallon of diesel fuel.

Moving freight by rail gets large vehicles off the road and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent, according to the AAR.  Additionally, moving freight via rail is 4 times more efficient than by truck.  Not only is shipping via rail more cost effective per ton but also translates to less pollution and more lanes freed up on the highway.

The SAN has the only roundabout bisected by railroad tracks in the State of Georgia which has improved motorists’ safety at the grade crossing.  The “railroad roundabout” on the SAN earned an award from the Institute of Transportation Engineers for its innovative and cost-effective design and implementation.  The roundabout is located on Riddleville Road at intersection with Waco Mill and Hospital road.

We own 2 rail-served Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) sites in addition to a number of choice sites, ready for development, available with ample electric, water, sewer and internet availability, plus easy access to rail and truck transportation services.

The kaolin industry is a major economic contributor to Washington County and middle Georgia. Kaolin companies located in Sandersville include ImerysPigments and Additives, Imerys Ceramics, KaMin, Burgess Pigment Company and Thiele Kaolin Company. These businesses serve domestic and international markets in the paper, plastics, fiberglass, paints, and ceramic industries. The Sandersville Railroad provides reliable, efficient, and timely transportation of these finished products for the various kaolin companies.

The Sandersville-Washington County area is rich in forest resources. Beasley Forest Products operates a green tie sawmill. Southern Chips operates a wood chip mill in Sandersville. These wood chips are used in the pulp- and paper-making process and are transported from the processing facility in chip hopper cars by the Sandersville Railroad. The railroad can transport raw timber as well as processed materials.