SAM SHORTLINE DEPOTS

The train does not always stop in every town. Depending on which day you travel, the train stops long enough for passengers to get on and off the cars, usually 5 minutes. Some stops are longer layovers. If you would like to tour one of the towns longer, you may catch the train back on its return trip, or even the next day (if scheduled to run that day).

Georgia Veterans State Park

Georgia Veterans State Park is the beginning location for SAM Shortline train. It features a championship golf course, sparkling Lake Blackshear and military exhibits. While there you can visit Lake Blackshear Resort and Golf Club and enjoy golfing,

Americus

The Victorian town of Americus is a stop on the Sumter Explorer.  While in Americus, browse all the wonderful and quaint shops. The award-winning 1892 Windsor Hotel & Spa is the perfect place to turn your train excursion into a relaxing weekend vacation. You can even take in a show at the breathtaking 1921 Rylander Theatre.

Leslie

The Sumter Explorer and History Explorer stop at Leslie, home of one of Georgia’s most unique museums. The Rural Telephone Museum is situated in a beautifully restored cotton warehouse. The exhibits showcase antiques, switchboards, classic cars, colorful murals – and, of course, antique telephones There is an admission fee

Plains

The small Georgia town of Plains is a stop on the Plains Express, Sumter Explorer,History Explorer and The Presidential Flyer. It was made famous by President Jimmy Carter. While in Plains, browse President Carter’s campaign museum and an antique mall and Billy Carter's Gas Station Museum. Visit the Plain Peanuts to buy a bag of goobers ans try their peanut butter ice cream.

Archery

On the Presidential Flyer you will visit the community of Archery, featuring President Jimmy Carter’s boyhood farm. The train will stop just steps from his old front porch, and you’ll have plenty of time to explore this National Historic Site which includes farm house and barn and farm animals

The Georgia Rural Telephone Museum is home to the largest collection of antique telephones and telephone memorabilia in the world.

The Windsor Hotel in Americus was built in 1892 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The five-story Queen Anne hotel was designed by a Swedish-born architect.

Plains is home of the 39th President of the United States. In 1975, Jimmy Carter began his race for the presidency in downtown Plains with his campaign headquarters in an old depot.