Georgia Coastal Railway in Kingsland, Georgia

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Kingsland, Georgia · Updated October 19, 2026 · 11 min read

Heritage railroad with a museumTrain ridesThemed trains run on scheduled Saturdays and holidays from Kingsland Station

The Georgia Coastal Railway runs family train rides on the St. Marys Railroad, a short line chartered in 1865, carrying open-air cars from Kingsland Station through town and out over the coastal Georgia marsh.

  • St. Marys Railroad chartered in 1865
  • Open-air cars to the marsh
  • Locomotive cab rides for ages 6+
  • Free model train layout with ticket
  • Santa and Halloween trains
  • Nonprofit, volunteer powered

Georgia Coastal Railway at a glance

Hours
Train rides on scheduled Saturdays and holiday dates; phone line Wed and Fri to Mon, 11 am to 4 pm
Admission
Regular rides: adults $10, kids 3 to 12 $5, plus tax and fees; under 3 free on a lap
Train rides
About 1 hour round trip in open-air cars; caboose $285 for up to 10; cab rides $60
Seasonal events
Santa Train, Halloween Trains, Easter Train, Wild West Trains, Pirate Trains, Jurassic Special Dino Show, Pizza Express, Freedom Flyer, Murder Mystery Train
Plan for
About 1.5 hours with the model layout
Best for
Families with young children
Best ages
Toddlers to age 12
Accessibility
ADA accessible spaces offered on some event trains (limit 2); ask when booking

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Georgia Coastal Railway? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Kingsland.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

Keeping trains on a short line chartered in 1865

The St. Marys Railroad was chartered in 1865 and runs about 10 miles between Kingsland, on the old Seaboard Air Line main line, and the coastal town of St. Marys. The railway calls it America's oldest privately owned short line railroad. For years excursions here ran as the St. Marys Express, and in November 2020 the Georgia Coastal Railway was established and took over passenger service.

Today the trains are run in partnership with the Florida-Georgia Railway Heritage Museum, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) based at Kingsland Station that is dedicated to preserving railroad history through education, exhibits and entertainment. Every ticket sold helps support that mission, and the website proudly notes it is powered by volunteer passion.

Kingsland Station itself has a story. The property was built in 1915 as a sawmill factory and most recently served as a church. Volunteers have been transforming it into an event venue with a theater that hosts live shows year-round and the Kingsland Station Train Museum, home to a model train layout. From there, excursions use the short line's own locomotives and rolling stock to head east toward the St. Marys River.

Through Kingsland and out over the marsh

Trains leave from 440 S. Lee Street, about two miles west of I-95. Open-air coaches roll along Highway 40 past neighborhoods and busy Kingsland streets, where riders wave to people along the tracks, then head out to Burrell Creek to stop above the Georgia marsh before returning. The ride lasts about an hour to 70 minutes, and trains run rain or shine.

For something special, the climate-controlled Celebration Caboose can be reserved privately for up to 10 people, and two riders at a time can join the engineer in the locomotive cab. Before or after your ride, step inside Kingsland Station to see the model train layout, included free with every train ticket.

Don’t miss

  1. The marsh stopTrains pause on a bridge over the marshes near Burrell Creek, the scenic high point of the trip.
  2. Locomotive cab rideRide up front with the engineer on any operating Saturday; ages 6 and up, two riders at a time.
  3. The Celebration CabooseA climate-controlled caboose that up to 10 people can reserve for birthdays and family trips.
  4. Kingsland Station model railroadThe train museum's model layout is free with any train ticket.
  5. The Jurassic SpecialAn interactive dinosaur stage show followed by a train ride with dinosaur encounters along the tracks.

Themed trains made for families

This railroad is built around kids. The calendar is full of themed trips: Easter, Wild West, pirate, Halloween and Christmas trains, plus the Jurassic Special dinosaur show and ride. Open-air cars let children wave at everyone along the way, and toddlers 2 and under ride free on a lap.

There are no restrooms on the train, so use the station facilities before boarding. Dress for the weather, since the open cars are breezy and trains run rain or shine. Locomotive cab rides are not allowed for children under 6, and ages 6 to 12 need an adult with them.

Plan your visit: tips for Georgia Coastal Railway

  • Arrive 15 minutes before departure, or 30 minutes for the Dino Show.
  • There are no restrooms on the train; use the station first.
  • All sales are final and trains run rain or shine.
  • Military, veterans, first responders and educators get promo-code discounts.
  • Email info@thegeorgiatrain.com, the railway's preferred contact method.

Holiday trains are a big part of the Georgia Coastal Railway year. Halloween Trains run in the fall, and the Santa Train and Christmas Trains bring families out to Kingsland Station in December, with the Celebration Caboose decorated for the holidays. Check the railway's calendar early, since themed trains sell out and all sales are final. Our guides to Christmas trains in Georgia and Georgia Halloween train rides list more.

A nonprofit museum and its volunteers

The Florida-Georgia Railway Heritage Museum, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) at Kingsland Station, works with the Georgia Coastal Railway to keep trains running, and the operation describes itself as powered by volunteers. You can help by riding, buying a gift certificate, renting the train for a private charter or party, attending a show at the station theater, or signing up to volunteer.

More rail stops near the Florida line

The Folkston Funnel train-watching platform is about 19 miles west, where dozens of trains pass every day. Across the state line, the Jacksonville Terminal history site is about 32 miles south, and the Georgia State Railroad Museum in Savannah is about 95 miles north. Browse all Georgia train museums for more.

Every train museum in Georgia

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a dad lifting Rally the corgi up the big stairs of a red train car
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

This railroad keeps children under 6 out of the locomotive cab because the climb is so hard for little legs, and I understand completely. Rally faces the same problem in our book: the big train steps are too tall for a corgi, so Dad lifts him aboard with a boost. My kids think that is the funniest part. You can find more stories like his on our train books for toddlers page.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Georgia Coastal Railway?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Georgia Coastal Railway: 20 questions families ask

Where does the Georgia Coastal Railway depart in Kingsland, GA?

All excursions leave from Kingsland Station at 440 S. Lee St, Kingsland, Georgia 31548, about two miles west of I-95. Trains run round trip from the station, except special event parking shuttles. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your departure time.

How much are Georgia Coastal Railway tickets?

As of October 2026, regular train rides cost $10 for adults 13 and up and $5 for kids 3 to 12, plus tax and fees. Toddlers 2 and under ride free on an adult's lap. Themed trains are priced separately; the Dino Show combo, for example, is $20 for adults and $15 for kids.

What is the Georgia Coastal Railway schedule?

Train rides run on Saturdays whenever a theme train is operating, plus holiday and special event dates. The schedule changes through the year, so check the train ride calendar at thegeorgiatrain.com often. All sales are final, so confirm your date before buying.

Does the Georgia Coastal Railway have a Santa train?

Yes. The railway runs Christmas Trains, including the Santa Train, during the holiday season from Kingsland Station, and the Celebration Caboose is decorated for the holidays. Dates and prices are posted on the calendar at thegeorgiatrain.com. Holiday trains are popular, so book early.

Does the Georgia Coastal Railway run Halloween trains?

Yes. Halloween Trains are part of the railway's seasonal lineup, along with Easter, Wild West and Pirate trains. Check the train ride calendar at thegeorgiatrain.com for this year's Halloween dates and times, and remember that trains run rain or shine.

What is the Georgia Coastal Railway Experience ride?

It is the railway's regular train ride: about an hour aboard open-air coaches through Kingsland and out to Burrell Creek, where the train stops above the Georgia marsh before returning. It runs on Saturdays when theme trains operate and costs $10 for adults and $5 for kids as of October 2026.

How long is the Georgia Coastal Railway train ride?

The ride lasts about an hour, and the railway's home page describes some themed trips as a 70-minute adventure. Add time before boarding to see the model train layout in Kingsland Station, which is free with your ticket.

What railroad does the Georgia Coastal Railway use?

It runs over the St. Marys Railroad, about 10 miles of track between Kingsland and St. Marys. The line was chartered in 1865, and the railway calls it America's oldest privately owned short line railroad. Excursions use the short line's own locomotives and cars.

When did the Georgia Coastal Railway start?

The Georgia Coastal Railway was established in November 2020, when it took over the excursion service formerly known as the St. Marys Express. It works with the Florida-Georgia Railway Heritage Museum, a nonprofit based at Kingsland Station.

Can you ride in the locomotive on the Georgia Coastal Railway?

Yes. Locomotive cab rides with the engineer are offered every Saturday the train runs, limited to two people. As of October 2026 the price is $60 per person, down from a regular $100. Children under 6 are not allowed, and ages 6 to 12 must ride with an adult.

What is the Celebration Caboose?

The Celebration Caboose is a private, climate-controlled caboose that up to 10 people can reserve for one train ride. As of October 2026, it costs $285 plus tax and fees, and toddlers 2 and under do not count toward the limit. It is popular for birthdays and holiday trips.

Is the Georgia Coastal Railway good for toddlers?

Yes. The themed trains are aimed at families, and children 2 and under ride free on a lap. The open-air cars and the chance to wave at people along the tracks keep little ones busy. There are no restrooms on the train, so use the station facilities first.

Are there bathrooms on the Georgia Coastal Railway train?

No. The open-air rail cars and the Celebration Caboose do not have restroom facilities. Use the restrooms at Kingsland Station before you board, especially with young children, since the round trip out to the marsh and back lasts about an hour.

Does the Georgia Coastal Railway run in the rain?

Yes. Trains run rain or shine, and all sales are final with no refunds. The open-air cars can be breezy and wet in bad weather, so dress for the forecast. The Celebration Caboose is climate-controlled if you want shelter.

Are there discounts on Georgia Coastal Railway tickets?

Yes. Active-duty military and veterans can use promo code MILITARY at checkout, first responders can use 911, and educators can use LEARN. The codes apply to regular rides, the caboose and cab rides. Gift certificates are also available through the railway's website.

What is the Jurassic Special at the Georgia Coastal Railway?

The Jurassic Special combines an interactive dinosaur stage show with a one-hour train ride featuring dinosaur encounters. As of October 2026, it runs Saturdays, November 7 and 14, at noon and 2 pm, with tickets at $20 for adults and $15 for kids 3 to 12. Arrive 30 minutes early.

Is there a museum at Kingsland Station?

Yes. Kingsland Station is home to the Florida-Georgia Railway Heritage Museum and the Kingsland Station Train Museum, which has a model train layout. Admission to see the layout is free with any train ticket. The building, built in 1915 as a sawmill factory, also has a theater.

Can you rent the Georgia Coastal Railway train for a party?

Yes. The train can be rented for private charters, parties and special events. Email info@thegeorgiatrain.com for pricing and availability. For a smaller group, the Celebration Caboose can be reserved on regular trips for up to 10 people.

How do I contact the Georgia Coastal Railway?

Email info@thegeorgiatrain.com, which the railway says is the best way to reach it, or call or text (904) 206-7160. Phone hours are Wednesday and Friday through Monday, 11 am to 4 pm; the line is closed Tuesday and Thursday. The railway also posts on its Kingsland Station Facebook page.

What train attractions are near the Georgia Coastal Railway?

The Folkston Funnel train viewing platform is about 19 miles away, and the Jacksonville Terminal railroad history site in Florida is about 32 miles south. The Georgia State Railroad Museum and Savannah History Museum are about 95 miles north in Savannah.

Keep exploring

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Kelsey Cecil
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