Toccoa’s Railroad Viewing Platform officially completed, celebration this Saturday

On any given day in downtown Toccoa you will see train and railroad enthusiasts camped out along the grassy area by the Toccoa Train Depot watching the freight trains and Amtrak trains go by.

Now that construction has been completed on the new railway viewing platform, the railroad enthusiasts have a shelter designed to attract tourist.

Work on the platform, near a grassy area on Foreacre Street, began the week of June 4 and was completed at the end of last week.

City of Toccoa Main Street Manager Christian Hamilton said recently the idea to build the platform came from a study done last year by the Tourism Product Development Resource Team from Atlanta.

Hamilton said the team had recommended the City integrate the Amtrak and general railroad culture, in this area, into the downtown environment by creating experiences that invite rail fans to downtown for train watching and photography.

He says the City also opted for the railway viewing platform because it contributes to the city’s comprehensive plan to promote tourism and it can be utilized by all residents of Toccoa.

Hamilton said the City of Toccoa Main Street will be holding a ribbon cutting ceremony, in conjunction with Toccoa’s Train Day, on Saturday, June 30, beginning at 11 a.m.

He says that in September they plan to install benches and a trashcan at the platform.

According to Hamilton, Main Street Toccoa and the City of Toccoa will continue to utilize the information presented in the Resource Team’s Report in the planning for future beautification efforts throughout downtown Toccoa.

For more information about the railway viewing platform, contact Hamilton at 706-898-5777.