Atlanta - Trains & History

For many, Atlanta is the current economic “Capital” of the South; however, Atlanta was founded because of railroads. In 1836, the Georgia General Assembly voted to build the Western and Atlantic Railroad in order to provide a link between the port of Savannah and the Midwest. The initial route was to run from Chattanooga to a spot called simply "Terminus," located east of the Chattahoochee River, and would eventually be linked to the Georgia Railroad from Augusta and the Macon and Western Railroad, which ran from Macon to Savannah, GA. An engineer was chosen to recommend the location of the terminus. After surveying various routes, he drove a stake (the "zero milepost") into the ground in what is now known as Five Points. A year later, the area around the railroad terminus had developed into a settlement, first known as "Terminus.”  Several years later the settlement was renamed Atlanta and incorporated in 1847.  Because of this history the Georgia Chapter of TCA’s Dixie Division is called the “Terminus Chapter.”

During the Civil War, Atlanta was a main hub in the Confederacy’s railroad system and eventually became a focal point of the Union Army effort, as led by General Sherman, to destroy that system and the South’s economic ability to conduct war.  However, over two years before the Union Army captured Atlanta, a group of Union soldiers dressed as civilians embarked on a daring effort to destroy Atlanta’s rail link with Chattanooga, the Western and Atlantic Railroad, by commandeering a steam engine, the General, in Kennesaw, GA.  Known as the Great Locomotive Chase or Andrew’s Raid, the Union raiders were pursued by Southern loyalists in a locomotive known as the Texas and the raiders were eventually stopped near Chattanooga.  2012 is the 150th anniversary of that raid and the Great Locomotive Chase. The convention hotel location chosen for the 58^th TCA National Convention is within a few miles of Kennesaw where the chase began.  Given this history and the importance of railroads to the city of Atlanta, the convention planners have made every effort to provide you with opportunities to experience this history, as well as many of Atlanta’s 21^st Century attractions, while also pursuing your hobby and interest in collecting and operating trains.  Locations and venues for events were chosen to provide a broad variety of activities at a reasonable cost.  Please review the detailed information on the nineteen tours offered at this convention.

Convention Hotel

Reservations Phone  # 888-391-8724

Our Convention hotel is the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel, a Four Diamond Hotel and part of the Marriott family of hotels, is located at 2450 Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, Georgia 30339, adjacent to the Cobb Galleria (Northwest Atlanta).  This 14 story hotel has a stunning open atrium, 497 rooms, 24 suites, a concierge level and it is entirely smoke free.

The hotel property and the Cobb Galleria Centre is approximately 25 minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and just 20 minutes from Atlanta itself.  In addition, the convention hotel is a short distance from two malls, Cumberland Mall and the Galleria Specialty Mall.  If you elect to do so, it is possible to easily walk to either mall.  These malls offer a variety of restaurants suited to all tastes and budgets and compliment the four restaurants and lounges within the Waverly. The Waverly Health Club and Waverly Spa offer indoor and outdoor pools, steam room, sauna, cardio theatre and free weights.  All at no charge to hotel guests.

Our goal is to have a family oriented convention.  There are several attractions conveniently located in the Galleria area including White Water Park located approximately 5 minutes north of the Cobb-Galleria on US 41.  This water park will help the entire family beat the heat with its famous rides and slides.  These venues are easily accessible from the hotel.  Again the absence of a hotel parking fee allows you more freedom to come and go as you elect.  Since the major Convention events and the trading pits are all located in the Waverly Hotel, the problem of moving from one hotel to another has been addressed.

Make reservations by phoning 888-391-8724 or on-line by following the links to the Hotel Convention web site (http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/atlrb?groupCode=trctrca&app=resvlink&fromDate=6/23/12&toDate=7/2/12). Do not call the hotel directly or use Marriott’s website, as you will not be able to receive our special rate of $129.00 per night plus tax.  Please say “The Train Collectors Association” to lock in this room rate. Reservations must be made by June 3, 2012.  Please write down your confirmation number.

Air Travel

Hartsfield Jackson International Airport is 20 miles by car from the hotel. (See directions on next page.) Delta, Air Tran (Southwest), U. S. Airways, American, and Continental are among the airlines serving Atlanta.

Driving Directions from Airport

Take the Camp Creek Parkway from Hartsfield Jackson to I-285 N. to Exit #19 (Cobb Parkway US 41). Turn right onto Cobb Parkway and then left at the 2nd light. This is Galleria Parkway and will lead directly to the hotel entrance.

Airport Shuttle Service

770-955-4565  Phone

770-955-5313  Fax

www.aandmlimo.com

A & M Limo Corp. is the exclusively recommended airport shuttle service provider for the 2012 Train Collectors Association Convention at the Waverly Hotel.  Shuttle service is offered FROM the airport every half hour between 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.  The shuttle service is best utilized with advance reservations.

 A discounted individual price of $25.00 for one-way or $45.00 for round trip is being offered to attendees who make advance prepaid arrangements.  Multiple passenger discounts may be available upon advance request.

 Advance reservations should be obtained by using one of the following methods:

• Telephone A & M’s staff during weekday office hours E.D.T. (8 am until 7 pm, Monday through Friday)

• Online reservations at: http://www.aandmlimo.com/reservations_forms.asp

A&M Limo Corp. is located at the Atlanta Airport Ground Transportation Center – Shared Ride GREEN area in Parking Spaces #7 and #8.  Complete directions on how to locate A&M’s shuttle vans can be obtained online at http://www.aandmlimo.com/driver.asp.

  Based in Marietta, A&M Limo Corp. and its subsidiary Galleria Direct, Inc. are regulated by the GA Public Service Commission and the City of Atlanta Aviation Department.

Recreational Vehicles

The closest RV camp site to the Convention hotel is Allatoona Landing Marine Resort.  It can handle all sizes of RVs and campers. It is located at Exit 283 off of I-75 N and is about 15 miles north of the hotel. The reservation number is 770-974-6089.

Convention Contacts

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