First Coast Railroad

he First Coast Railroad is a 31-mile shortline operating in northeastern Florida, primarily serving the region between Yulee and Fernandina Beach. Established in 2005 and owned by Genesee & Wyoming, the railroad represents the remnants of a variety of Seaboard Air Line routes that crisscrossed northeastern Florida. The FCRD connects with SAL successor CSX Transportation at Yulee, where a yard supports switching and car storage. One leg of the shortline runs east from there to the port at Fernandina Beach. A second leg runs north from Yulee across to state line as far north as Seals, Georgia. This is a surviving section of the Searboard Air Line mainline up the east coast. At Kingsland, Georgia, the shortline has an official interchange point with the historic St. Marys Railroad. However, in practice, SM trains often operate south over the First Coast to interchange at Yulee. Products transported by First Coast include chemicals, building materials, and car storage. Transloading and port facilities are also served.