Folkston, GA 31537 (population, 4,148)
GPS: N 30.83056, W 82.00769 Google map
Scanner: CSX 160.590 [32] and 160.320 [14]
Railroad: CSX Jacksonville Div, Nahunta Sub, MP 602
Description: Folkston, Georgia is located in extreme Southeast Georgia. Known to railfans as the “Folkston Funnel”,
it is the location of the major CSX artery for railroad traffic into and out of Florida at CSX MP 602.2. The city of
Folkston has installed a viewing platform downtown and from the viewing platform visitors can see trains passing on
their way to and from Jacksonville, Florida in the south, and a split north of town where trains go west to Waycross,
Georgia, and north to Savannah. The platform features lights, ceiling fans, and a scanner to listen in to radio traffic
between trains. Adjacent to the platform are picnic tables, a grill, and a new restroom facility for the public. The
Nahunta Sub handles traffic from Savannah, Georgia and the Northeast. The Jesup Sub handles traffic from CSX Rice
Yards in Waycross, GA and the Mid-west. There are three defect detectors (DD) located in the area. The Boulogne
DD is located at MP 610.6 South on the Nahunta Sub. The Newell DD is located at MP 592.0 North on the
Nahunta Sub. The double main in Folkston sees approximately 50 trains a day, including the Tropicana Juice Train on
weekdays and 8 Amtrak trains (4 NB & 4 SB). More info at RAILFAN GUIDES of the U.S.
Approximate # trains per 24 hours: 50+
Nearby RR stuff: Trains can also be enjoyed from the grounds of the restored Folkston depot, just diagonally across
the tracks from the platform. The Chamber of Commerce located in the old depot contains a small railroad museum
and gift shop for railfans. Waycross, GA, Northwest of Folkston about 35 miles, is the home of CSX’s Rice Yards, the
largest rail classification yard in the Southeast.
Other interesting or fun stuff: Folkston is considered the ‘gateway’ to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.
Photo opportunities: There is enough space for good wide angle shots of trains running at speed.
Fast Food: Burger King, North on 2nd St, N 30.83469, W 82.00699;
McDonalds, South on 2nd St, N 30.82885, W 82.00533
Ice Cream: Dairy Queen is located South on 2nd Street. N 30.82728, W 82.00482
Lodging: Just south of the railfan platform is the Roadmaster’s Lodge, on First St. - A small cabin for rent to
railfans with a great view of the tracks, N 30.82750, W 82.00587; or Relax Inn, 3436 S 2nd St (US-1)
N 30.82176, W 82.00252
Trip advisor Folkston, GA
GPS: N 30.83056, W 82.00769 Google map
Scanner: CSX 160.590 [32] and 160.320 [14]
Railroad: CSX Jacksonville Div, Nahunta Sub, MP 602
Description: Folkston, Georgia is located in extreme Southeast Georgia. Known to railfans as the “Folkston Funnel”,
it is the location of the major CSX artery for railroad traffic into and out of Florida at CSX MP 602.2. The city of
Folkston has installed a viewing platform downtown and from the viewing platform visitors can see trains passing on
their way to and from Jacksonville, Florida in the south, and a split north of town where trains go west to Waycross,
Georgia, and north to Savannah. The platform features lights, ceiling fans, and a scanner to listen in to radio traffic
between trains. Adjacent to the platform are picnic tables, a grill, and a new restroom facility for the public. The
Nahunta Sub handles traffic from Savannah, Georgia and the Northeast. The Jesup Sub handles traffic from CSX Rice
Yards in Waycross, GA and the Mid-west. There are three defect detectors (DD) located in the area. The Boulogne
DD is located at MP 610.6 South on the Nahunta Sub. The Newell DD is located at MP 592.0 North on the
Nahunta Sub. The double main in Folkston sees approximately 50 trains a day, including the Tropicana Juice Train on
weekdays and 8 Amtrak trains (4 NB & 4 SB). More info at RAILFAN GUIDES of the U.S.
Approximate # trains per 24 hours: 50+
Nearby RR stuff: Trains can also be enjoyed from the grounds of the restored Folkston depot, just diagonally across
the tracks from the platform. The Chamber of Commerce located in the old depot contains a small railroad museum
and gift shop for railfans. Waycross, GA, Northwest of Folkston about 35 miles, is the home of CSX’s Rice Yards, the
largest rail classification yard in the Southeast.
Other interesting or fun stuff: Folkston is considered the ‘gateway’ to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.
Photo opportunities: There is enough space for good wide angle shots of trains running at speed.
Fast Food: Burger King, North on 2nd St, N 30.83469, W 82.00699;
McDonalds, South on 2nd St, N 30.82885, W 82.00533
Ice Cream: Dairy Queen is located South on 2nd Street. N 30.82728, W 82.00482
Lodging: Just south of the railfan platform is the Roadmaster’s Lodge, on First St. - A small cabin for rent to
railfans with a great view of the tracks, N 30.82750, W 82.00587; or Relax Inn, 3436 S 2nd St (US-1)
N 30.82176, W 82.00252
Trip advisor Folkston, GA
| The Gregarious Railfan |
Map
Map courtesy of Todd Sestero, RAILFAN GUIDES of the U.S.
. Rental information for Railroad themed lodging in Folkston; the Roadmaster’s Lodge and 2 separate
cabooses along the tacks in Folkston as well as a small RV campground for railfans
cabooses along the tacks in Folkston as well as a small RV campground for railfans
. Todd Sestero's RAILFAN GUIDES of the U.S. Folkston page
Links
Pictures
Parking North of the Platform
The platform was dedicated to "Cookie" Williams, a prominent citizen of
Folkston and friend to railfans all across the country
Folkston and friend to railfans all across the country
The Depot
