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FOLKSTON, Ga. – Every day, upwards of 80 CSX trains pass through the Folkston Funnel, so named because two railroad lines merge just north of downtown. In fact, almost all Florida-bound freight trains pass through the city’s limits.
The city of Folkston has embraced the railroad that passes through town and welcomes railfans from around the country who want to watch trains pass through the south Georgia town. In 2001, with the help of a $30,000 state grant and inmate labor, the city opened a train viewing platform in downtown Folkston. The platform has fans, lights and a scanner that allows railfans to listen in on railroad radio traffic and help judge the direction and load of the next inbound freight.