Museum of History
at Thronateeska Heritage Center

   The Museum is housed in Albany's Union Depot, built in 1912 for use by the five different railroads that served the city. Seven rail lines radiating out of Albany converged at Union Depot. Passenger trains of the Central of Georgia, Atlantic Coast Line, Georgia Northern, and Albany & Northern and the Seaboard Air Line called at Union Depot. At its height, as many as 55 trains came through Union Depot daily.
   Today, the station, which was placed on the National Historic Register in 1975, is called the Discovery Depot and serves as a local and regional history/heritage museum.

Model Train Exhibit

   It's the only one like it in Southwest Georgia!
   Located directly behind steam locomotive Georgia Northern 107 (ALCo, 1911) and housed in an actual railroad baggage car (Southern Railway 518), this detailed exhibit depicts a train journey from the city to the country. This exhibit was built by the Flint River Model Railroad Club. This exhibit is currently closed, and will reopen when train restorations are completed.

Train Restoration

   In November 1999, voters approved the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST IV) for a myriad of projects throughout Dougherty County. Thronateeska Heritage Center was fortunate to be included on this referendum to receive $500,000 to be used for some much needed care for our largest museum collection--our trains. This money is primarily earmarked for cosmetic restoration of steam locomotive Georgia Northern No. 107, a passenger train baggage car (c.1939), and a railway post office (c.1916). Funds will also be used for restoration of other equipment, track work and to erect a protective display building. Caboose CofGX73 and Southern Railway Baggage/Express Car No. 518 have now been restored. The lettering and paint scheme on the baggage car are appropriate for the car's appearance during World War II, making it an excellent compliment to the exhibit "World War II and The Homefront Remembered." The largest and most complex restoration project, Georgia Northern Railway steam locomotive No. 107, is now underway, and plans are being made for the display building. We'll continue to keep you posted on our progress on this endeavor!