The Georgia and Alabama Railway was formed in 1895 from the failed Savannah, Americus and Montgomery Railway

Savannah, Americus and Montgomery Railway

The Savannah, Americus and Montgomery Railway was a historic narrow gauge railroad located in the U.S. states of Georgia and Alabama.It was founded in 1888 to take over operations from the Americus, Preston and Lumpkin Railroad which ran from Louvale to Abbeville...

. The G&A expanded rapidly, acquiring the Abbeville and Waycross Railroad

Abbeville and Waycross Railroad

The Abbeville and Waycross Railroad was incorporated in 1889. The company started building a line between Abbeville, Georgia and Fitzgerald, Georgia in 1890 and finished in 1896. A thirteen mile stretch of track between Abbeville and Bowens Mill was opened in 1890 and in 1891 was extended to...

 and building it further South to Ocilla, GA, obtaining a lease from the Central of Georgia Railroad

Central of Georgia Railroad

The Central of Georgia Railway started as the Central Rail Road and Canal Company in 1833. As a way to better attract investment capital, the railroad changed its name to Central Rail Road and Banking Company of Georgia. This railroad was constructed to join the Macon and Western Railroad at...

 for trackage rights between Lyons, GA and Meldrim, GA, and then acquiring the Columbus Southern Railway

Columbus Southern Railway

The Columbus Southern Railway is a historic railroad that operated in the U.S. state of Georgia.It was originally chartered in 1885 as the Columbus and Florida Railway. The Columbus Southern Railway was created in 1886 after the C&F's charter was amended...

, all in 1896. The railroad was also known by the nickname of the Savannah Short Line which was to draw attention to its more direct route between Montgomery, AL and Savannah, GA as compared to its competitor's routes. In 1900, the G&A became a part of the Seaboard Air Line Railway.