Atlantic, Waycross and Northern Railroad
| Company type | Railroad |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Predecessor | St. Mary's and Kingsland Railroad |
| Founded | March 6, 1911 |
| Defunct | 1924 |
| Headquarters | St. Mary's, Georgia , United States |
Area served | Georgia |
| Products | Rail transport services |
Atlantic, Waycross and Northern Railroad
Formed on March 6, 1911, the Atlantic, Waycross and Northern Railroad (AW&N) succeeded the St. Mary's and Kingsland Railroad. Its charter authorized construction of a rail route linking St. Mary's with Fort Valley, Georgia. To support this development, shareholders consented to issuing $4.8 million in bonds alongside $1.5 million in additional stock, with the Georgia railroad commission approving a total of $6.2 million in securities by June 1911.
The AW&N maintained 10.75 miles of standard gauge track and leased an extra mile connecting St. Mary's and Kingsland, Georgia. It provided service to all docks within the port of St. Mary's and established a connection with the Seaboard Air Line Railway at Kingsland, enabling freight interchange throughout the region. In 1919, the Georgia House of Representatives initiated an inquiry into acquiring AW&N along with other railroads to extend the Western and Atlantic Railroad to reach the Atlantic coastline.
Although several expansion plans were proposed—such as a 20-mile extension from Kingsland to Folkston—these initiatives did not progress beyond preliminary grading. Eventually, in 1924, the railroad underwent reorganization and became known as the St. Mary's Railroad.
This overview underscores AW&N's strategic focus on enhancing regional rail connections and port accessibility, supported by substantial bond and stock financing. Its leadership’s efforts to broaden its network illustrate the early 1900s ambitions for growth within Georgia’s railroad sector.