YOUR LOCAL FIELD GUIDE
SAM Shortline Sumter Explorer
Ride vintage, air-conditioned rail cars from Georgia Veterans State Park across Lake Blackshear to Plains and Americus. Town layovers make this a full-day excursion with time off the train.
Original AI-created illustration · not a venue photograph · Try478 · Original AI-created illustration · Credits & licenses
What to expect
Ride vintage, air-conditioned rail cars from Georgia Veterans State Park across Lake Blackshear to Plains and Americus. Town layovers make this a full-day excursion with time off the train.
Cordele · Adult coach $43.99 + tax & handling · Most of the day
SAM Shortline — Georgia Veterans State Park depot · 2459 US Highway 280 West, Cordele, GA 31015
Listed dates: ,
Board 9am; depart 9:30am; return 4:15pm
The operator lists October 17 and 24, 2026 for this itinerary. October 10 was canceled and is excluded. Scheduled departures do not guarantee remaining seats.
- Lake Blackshear rail crossing
- Plains and Americus layovers
- Vintage passenger cars
Before you go
- Reserve seats and review the itinerary for your chosen departure.
- Board at the state park depot, not SAM's downtown Cordele office.
- Coach child fares and other seating classes have separate prices; deluxe and premium cars also have minimum ages. Check complete ticket terms.
Sources & visitor information
Venue and visitor-bureau information checked on the dates below. Follow these links for current hours, admission and access.
- SAM Shortline — Sumter Explorer ↗
2026 itinerary, boarding times, dates, fares and seating-class age rules.
Checked - SAM Shortline — excursion calendar ↗
Calendar cross-check, including the canceled October 10 departure.
Checked
Visitor information phone: 229-276-0755
Check the organizer’s latest details before leaving; schedules and availability can change.
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