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| photo1a = SCT 2.jpg |
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| photo2b = Silver Comet Trail in Nathan Dean Park, October 2016.jpg |
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| designation = [[National Recreation Trail]] (all or partial?)<ref name="NRT">[http://www.americantrails.org/NRTDatabase/trailDetail.php?recordID=3324 Silver Comet Trail]. National Recreation Trails database. Page Modified 2011-01-01. Access Date 2011-06-15.</ref> |
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| caption =Top, the Silver Comet Trail in Cobb County; <br>bottom, the trail near [[Rockmart, Georgia|Rockmart]] |
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| length_mi = 61.5 |
| length_mi = 61.5 |
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| trailheads = [[Smyrna, Georgia|Smyrna]] |
| trailheads = [[Smyrna, Georgia|Smyrna]]/[[Chief Ladiga Trail]] |
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| use = |
| use = Bicycling, running, hiking, dogs on leash, horseback riding, roller/inline skating, and skateboarding |
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| designation = {{jct|state=GA|USBR|21|city1=Cedartown|city2=Atlanta}} |
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| season = |
| season = Year round |
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| months = |
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| sights = Brushy Mt. Tunnel |
| sights = Brushy Mt. Tunnel |
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| surface = paved |
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The '''Silver Comet Trail''' is a |
The '''Silver Comet Trail''' is a [[rail trail]] in west-northwestern [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], United States. |
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==Route== |
==Route== |
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{{maplink|display=inline,title|type=line|text=Map Trail's Path}} |
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⚫ |
The Silver Comet Trail |
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[[File:SCT 1.jpg|alt=|thumb|The trail at the 2.4-mile mark, near Heritage Park in [[Mableton, Georgia]]]] |
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⚫ | The Silver Comet Trail is named for the ''[[Silver Comet (train)|Silver Comet]]'' passenger train that traversed the same route from 1947 to 1969.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IP4vAAAAIBAJ&pg=4159%2C593667 | title=Polk County| work=Calhoun Times | date=1 September 2004 | accessdate=26 April 2015 | pages=105}}</ref> It begins in [[Smyrna, Georgia]], runs west through [[Cobb County|Cobb]], [[Paulding County, Georgia|Paulding]] and [[Polk County, Georgia|Polk]] counties, and continues as [[Alabama]]'s [[Chief Ladiga Trail]] at the state line. |
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As of September 2008, the entire {{convert|61.5|mi|0|adj=on}} Silver Comet Trail was paved and open for riding.<ref>{{cite web | title = Silver Comet Trail | url=http://www.trailexpress.com/index.php?trail_id=1 |publisher= TrailExpress | accessdate = 2008-09-30 }}</ref> The Silver Comet and Chief Ladiga trails join to form one continuous {{convert|94|mi|adj=on}} trail from Smyrna, Georgia to [[Anniston, Alabama]].<ref>[http://pathfoundation.org/index.cfm?event=showNewsletter Path Foundation Newsletter]{{Dead link|date=March 2013}}</ref> Additionally, the Cobb County Department of Transportation has built the Silver Comet Connector, a one-mile extension, to join the Silver Comet Trail with Highland Station, a shopping center at South Cobb Dr. and East-West Connector, Smyrna, Ga. |
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The Silver Comet and Chief Ladiga trails join to form one continuous {{convert|94|mi|adj=on}} trail from Smyrna, Georgia to [[Anniston, Alabama]], which together form the second-longest paved rail trail in the U.S.<ref>[http://pathfoundation.org/index.cfm?event=showNewsletter Path Foundation Newsletter] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070218213255/http://pathfoundation.org/index.cfm?event=showNewsletter |date=February 18, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{citation |title=Longest Trails: Longest Paved Trail And Longest Ice Skating Trail |url=https://www.americantrails.org/resources/longest-trails-longest-paved-trail-and-longest-ice-skating-trail#:~:text=1.,total%20of%20112%20paved%20miles. |publisher=American Trails |date=2018-09-09}}</ref> |
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===Planned extensions=== |
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Future plans include extending the [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] end of the trail into the [[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]] city limits. [http://connectthecomet.org] |
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[[U.S. Bicycle Route 21]] follows a {{convert|52|mi|km|adj=on}} portion of Silver Comet Trail from [[Cedartown, Georgia|Cedartown]] to the east end of the trail.<ref name="GA-2015-Application-USBR">{{citation |title=AASHTO Application for Designation of a U.S. Bicycle Route: Georgia USBR No. 21 |first=Katelyn |last=DiGioia |date=2015-08-11 |url=http://sp.route.transportation.org/Documents/2015%20AM%20September%2024%20Chicago,%20IL/GA%20-%20USBR%2021.pdf}}</ref> The trail is locally known as an ideal destination for bikers and runners to train or relax. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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In 1947, the ''[[Silver Comet (train)|Silver Comet]]'' was introduced by the [[Seaboard Air Line Railroad]] during the height of passenger rail use. |
In 1947, the ''[[Silver Comet (train)|Silver Comet]]'' was introduced by the [[Seaboard Air Line Railroad]] (SAL) during the height of passenger rail use. Due to declining ridership, the ''Silver Comet'' was downgraded in the 1960s, losing its sleeper-lounger cars. In 1969, the ''Silver Comet'' was downgraded again and finally discontinued in June of that year, by SAL successor [[Seaboard Coast Line]] (SCL). |
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⚫ | By 1986 SCL had gradually merged with several nearby railroads, forming the Seaboard System, which had become [[CSX Transportation]] by July 1987. CSX abandoned {{convert|36|mi}} of the former ''Silver Comet'' route from Cobb County through Paulding and Polk counties in 1989. In 1992, the [[Georgia Department of Transportation]] initially purchased the former roadbed for future use as a [[intercity rail|high-speed transit]] route, but later that year, Ron Griffith, Director of Cobb County Parks, requested a lease agreement between the county and the Georgia DOT to use the rail line as a multi-use trail. The Cobb County Board of Commissioners approved the multi-use trail plan in November. |
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In 1986, the Seaboard Air Line Railroad's successor, the [[Seaboard Coast Line]], was merged in 1983 with Louisville & Nashville, Georgia Railroad, Atlanta & West Point, Western Railway of Alabama, Clinchfield and Gainesville Midland to form Seaboard System. In 1980 SCL Industries, merged with Chessie System, C&O/B&O/Western Maryland, to form a holding company CSX. The official name change to CSXT, was in July 1987, when SEABOARD SYSTEM, B&O/C&O/WM were merged to form today's [[CSX Transportation]]. In 1989, CSX informed the state of Georgia it was abandoning {{convert|36|mi}} of railroad from Cobb County through Paulding and Polk counties, which comprised most of the ''Silver Comet'' route west of [[Atlanta]]. The former SAL mainline is still in place between Rockmart and Cedartown. It connects with |
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CSXT EX-L&N mainline at Cartersville,Ga, which exists to this day. CSXT keeps locomotives at Cedartown for switching jobs on a daily basis between Cedartown and Cartersville. In 2009, BNSF explored the possibility of purchasing the former line, which is rail banked, meaning the state would allow a railroad to rebuild the track if deemed needed. It is estimated it would take 8–9 months to fully restore the track where it was removed. With rail traffic booming in the 2000s, there is a possibility that the track could be back in service before 2020. |
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Construction began in July 1998, with the initial section between [[Nickajack Creek]] and Hicks Road opening by that November. |
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===Rail-trail concept=== |
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By 1990, several groups, including the Georgia Rails To Trails Society, were interested in turning the abandoned rail line into a multi-use trail. |
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The former [[SAL/SCL]] right of way is rail banked. This means at any time in the future, if rail traffic increases to the point where an old line exists, it could be purchased and track put back down. The right of way would thus become a Class 1 railroad again. The former SAL/SCL line is 78 miles shorter than the line [[CSX Transportation|CSXT]] now uses, the former [[Atlantic Coast Line Railroad|ACL]], and Atlanta & West Point lines, which run well south of the former SAL/SCL line. |
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⚫ |
In 1992, the [[Georgia Department of Transportation]] |
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In September 2019 the James M. Cox Foundation gave $6 million to the [[PATH Foundation]], which will connect the Silver Comet Trail to the Atlanta [[BeltLine|Beltline]]. This project has been split into two parts. The PATH Foundation is responsible for the section from the current Silver Comet Trail terminus at the Mavell Road trailhead and then following the abandoned railroad right of way to Plant Atkinson Road. The Cobb DOT is responsible for the section from Plant Atkinson road to the Atlanta Road/Marietta Boulevard bridge over the Chattahoochee river, following an easement along Atlanta Road. Cobb expects to let its section for bid in Spring 2023. PATH's section is in flux due to legal challenges from railroad right of way easement holders.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/landowners-make-claims-on-property-abandoned-for-silver-comet-trail/OZXBU4Z3DJC7FIRPHOWFXVDYFY/ | title=Landowners make claims on property abandoned for Silver Comet Trail | newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | last1=Deere | first1=Stephen }}</ref> |
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In January 1995, the East-West Connector agreement was signed, including a requirement for Cobb County to develop a plan for converting the rail into a trail. |
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==Economic impact== |
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In 1996, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners allowed Cobb Land Trust a budget of $30,000 to hire a consultant to help develop a design for the multi-use trail. |
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In 2013, a detailed study was done on the trail to determine the economic impact of the trail. It was estimated that the trail had 1.9 million uses in 2013. 400,000 of those uses were from out of state. The direct spending of residents and tourists was $57 million. The $118 million economic impact was found to support 1,310 jobs.<ref name="Economic-2013">{{Citation |
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| url = https://headwaterseconomics.org/wp-content/uploads/Trail_Study_142-GA-Silver-Comet-Econ-Impact.pdf |
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| title = Silver Comet Trail Economic Impact Analysis and Planning Study |
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| year = 2013 |
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| access-date = 2021-03-14 |
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|pages = 3-6, 3-7, 3-9, 3-14, 3-20 |
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}}</ref> |
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The tax revenue generated by the trail was estimated to be about $3.5 million in income tax, sales tax, and business taxes. The study suggested an 4 to 7 increase in property taxes for homes within a quarter mile of the trail, resulting in an increase of $0.5 million in revenue for municipalities and school districts.<ref name="Economic-2013"/> |
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In 1997, the Board allocated $900,000 for the development of a {{convert|2|mi|adj=on}} section of the rail-trail next to Heritage Park to test the multi-use trail idea. |
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In July 1998, construction of the Silver Comet Trail began through a collaborative effort between the [[Georgia Department of Transportation]], Georgia State Parks, [[PATH (Atlanta)|PATH Foundation]], [[Cobb County]] DOT, [[Paulding County, Georgia|Paulding County]], and [[Polk County, Georgia|Polk County]]. |
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By November 1998, the first section of the Silver Comet Trail opened from [[Nickajack Creek]] to Hicks Road. |
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In 2003, the Silver Comet Trail was recognized by the [[National Park Service]] as a [[National Recreation Trail]]. |
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On August 29, 2008, the final portion of the trail was completed. Counting its continuation with the [[Chief Ladiga Trail]] to the west, the Silver Comet Trail is now the second longest paved trail in the US.<ref>http://www.americantrails.org/resources/info/longest.html</ref> |
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==Geology== |
==Geology== |
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⚫ | In Paulding County, the Silver Comet Trail crosses over the [[Allatoona Fault]]; where the trail intersects the fault in the vicinityofWillow Springs Road, the fault serves to divide the distinctive Eastern Blue Ridge rocks from those that most characterize the Western [[Blue Ridge Province]]. One rock formation of particular note in Paulding County is the Ordovician-age Pumpkinvine Creek Formation (PCF), primarily composed of metamorphosed volcanic rocks thought to have originated out in the now-vanished, ancient ocean that geologists generally refer to as [[Iapetus Ocean|Iapetus]].<ref name="Holm-Denoma, Christopher S. 2006">Holm-Denoma, Christopher S., 2006, Florida State University Ph.D. dissertation entitled: CHARACTERIZATION OF PALEOZOIC TERRANES AND TERRANE ACCRETION AT THE SOUTHEASTERN MARGIN OF LAURENTIA: GEORGIA AND ALABAMA APPALACHIANS</ref> |
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By riding or walking the Silver Comet Trail, it is immediately obvious that construction of the original Silver Comet Railroad line involved leveling out most of the hills and valleys over which the rails were made to traverse. Most interestingly, where hills were encountered, "road cut" techniques were employed to ensure that the railroad bed was graded as flatly as possible. The road cuts now reveal many interesting rock formations along the edges of the Silver Comet Trail's pavement. Many of the formations include quite steeply dipping (tilted) layers of metamorphic rocks <ref name="Yorkville Quadrangle 2001">Geologic Map of the Yorkville Quadrangle, Georgia, Mapped by Christopher S. Holm, Ph.D., 2001, Mapping conducted under Educational Mapping Program agreement between USGS, Georgia Geologic Survey, and Florida State University</ref>(presumably associated with one or more episodes of mountain-building that produced the Appalachian Mountains, and related physiographic provinces, in Georgia). |
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In Paulding County, the Silver Comet Trail crosses over the Allatoona Fault in at least three places, and where the trail intersects the fault in the vicinity of Willow Springs Road (currently identifiable as a long wooden automobile bridge high above the trail), the fault serves to divide the quite distinctive Eastern Blue Ridge rocks from those that most characterize the Western Blue Ridge Province.<ref name="Yorkville Quadrangle 2001"/> |
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⚫ |
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Per theory, the PCF, and other such volcanics, formed in the Iapetus as sea-floor rocks (and, perhaps, even entire volcanic islands), but were either ultimately rammed up out of the water by colliding continental masses that finally obliterated the ocean itself, or, more likely, were extruded locally in back-arc basins landward of a retreating subduction trench, and, due to thrusting, were pushed further onto the margin of what eventually evolved to become our modern North American continent.<ref name="Holm-Denoma, Christopher S. 2006"/> |
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⚫ |
The meta-volcanic rocks of the PCF are believed to be remnants of the sort of so-called "accreted terranes" described above, and exposures of PCF rocks can be found on the Silver Comet Trail near the Allatoona Fault. |
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⚫ | The meta-volcanic rocks of the PCF are believed to be remnants of the sort of so-called "accreted terranes" described above, and exposures of PCF rocks can be found on the Silver Comet Trail near the Allatoona Fault. |
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A detailed geologic map of the area in Paulding County was completed by Christopher S. Holm, Ph.D., and can be viewed at http://etd.lib.fsu.edu/theses/available/etd-11132006-173338/unrestricted/yorkvilleGA.pdf. The map clearly shows the Silver Comet Trail, the Allatoona Fault, and the various rock types a hiker or cyclist will encounter in the above-mentioned section of Paulding County, Georgia. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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{{Commons category}} |
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*[[Chief Ladiga Trail]] |
*[[Chief Ladiga Trail]] |
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*[[Nathan Dean Complex|Nathan Dean Complex and Park]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [http://prca.cobbcountyga.gov/silvercomet.htm The Silver Comet Trail in Cobb County, Georgia (official site)] |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130302020958/http://prca.cobbcountyga.gov/silvercomet.htm The Silver Comet Trail in Cobb County, Georgia (official site)] |
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* [http://www.silvercometga.com/index.shtml Silver Comet Trail directions, facts, maps, parking, photos, videos] |
* [http://www.silvercometga.com/index.shtml Silver Comet Trail directions, facts, maps, parking, photos, videos] |
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* [http://www.pathfoundation.org/index.cfm?event=showSilverComet Information about the Silver Comet Trail at the PATH Foundation] |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070218213628/http://www.pathfoundation.org/index.cfm?event=showSilverComet Information about the Silver Comet Trail at the PATH Foundation] |
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* [http://pathfoundation.org/index.cfm?event=showNewsletter PATH Foundation newsletter with construction updates] |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070218213255/http://pathfoundation.org/index.cfm?event=showNewsletter PATH Foundation newsletter with construction updates] |
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* [http://www.trailexpress.com/silvercomet/ Information about the Silver Comet Trail at TrailExpress] |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041022215541/http://www.trailexpress.com/silvercomet/ Information about the Silver Comet Trail at TrailExpress] |
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* [http://www.sethholladay.com/Silver-Comet-and-Chief-Ladiga-Trails-Map.php Silver Comet Trail Map (google mashup)] |
* [http://www.sethholladay.com/Silver-Comet-and-Chief-Ladiga-Trails-Map.php Silver Comet Trail Map (google mashup)] |
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* [http://railstotrails.us/ga_silver_comet_trail.htm Silver Comet Trail Page at RailsToTrails.us] |
* [http://railstotrails.us/ga_silver_comet_trail.htm Silver Comet Trail Page at RailsToTrails.us] |
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* [http://railga.com/oddend/silvercomet.html Silver Comet Trail at Georgia's Railroad History and Heritage] |
* [http://railga.com/oddend/silvercomet.html Silver Comet Trail at Georgia's Railroad History and Heritage] |
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* [http://murdertrail.blogspot.com Murder On The Silver Comet Trail by Charlotte Fairchild promoting safety awareness] |
* [http://murdertrail.blogspot.com Murder On The Silver Comet Trail by Charlotte Fairchild promoting safety awareness] |
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* [http://www.polkgeorgia.com/live/silver-comet Polk County Chamber of Commerce video highlighting the Trail] |
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110221204001/http://www.polkgeorgia.com/live/silver-comet Polk County Chamber of Commerce video highlighting the Trail] |
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{{coord missing|Georgia (U.S. state)}} |
{{coord missing|Georgia (U.S. state)}} |
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[[Category:Protected areas of Cobb County, Georgia]] |
[[Category:Protected areas of Cobb County, Georgia]] |
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[[Category:Long-distance trails in the United States]] |
[[Category:Long-distance trails in the United States]] |
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[[Category:Protected areas of Polk County, Georgia]] |
[[Category:Protected areas of Polk County, Georgia]] |
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[[Category:Rail trails in Georgia (U.S. state)]] |
[[Category:Rail trails in Georgia (U.S. state)]] |
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[[Category:Bike paths in Georgia (U.S. state)]] |
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[[Category:PATH Foundation]] |
[[Category:PATH Foundation]] |
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[[Category:National Recreation Trails |
[[Category:National Recreation Trails in Georgia (U.S. state)]] |
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[[Category:Transportation in Paulding County, Georgia]] |
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[[Category:Transportation in Polk County, Georgia]] |
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[[Category:Transportation in Cobb County, Georgia]] |
Silver Comet Trail | |
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Top, the Silver Comet Trail in Cobb County;
bottom, the trail near Rockmart | |
Length | 61.5 mi (99.0 km) |
Location | Northwest Georgia - Northeast Alabama |
Designation | ![]() |
Trailheads | Smyrna/Chief Ladiga Trail |
Use | Bicycling, running, hiking, dogs on leash, horseback riding, roller/inline skating, and skateboarding |
Season | Year round |
Sights | Brushy Mt. Tunnel |
Surface | paved |
Right of way | Seaboard System rail line |
The Silver Comet Trail is a rail trail in west-northwestern Georgia, United States.
Map Trail's PathMap Trail's Path
The Silver Comet Trail is named for the Silver Comet passenger train that traversed the same route from 1947 to 1969.[1] It begins in Smyrna, Georgia, runs west through Cobb, Paulding and Polk counties, and continues as Alabama's Chief Ladiga Trail at the state line.
The Silver Comet and Chief Ladiga trails join to form one continuous 94-mile (151 km) trail from Smyrna, Georgia to Anniston, Alabama, which together form the second-longest paved rail trail in the U.S.[2][3]
U.S. Bicycle Route 21 follows a 52-mile (84 km) portion of Silver Comet Trail from Cedartown to the east end of the trail.[4] The trail is locally known as an ideal destination for bikers and runners to train or relax.
In 1947, the Silver Comet was introduced by the Seaboard Air Line Railroad (SAL) during the height of passenger rail use. Due to declining ridership, the Silver Comet was downgraded in the 1960s, losing its sleeper-lounger cars. In 1969, the Silver Comet was downgraded again and finally discontinued in June of that year, by SAL successor Seaboard Coast Line (SCL).
By 1986 SCL had gradually merged with several nearby railroads, forming the Seaboard System, which had become CSX Transportation by July 1987. CSX abandoned 36 miles (58 km) of the former Silver Comet route from Cobb County through Paulding and Polk counties in 1989. In 1992, the Georgia Department of Transportation initially purchased the former roadbed for future use as a high-speed transit route, but later that year, Ron Griffith, Director of Cobb County Parks, requested a lease agreement between the county and the Georgia DOT to use the rail line as a multi-use trail. The Cobb County Board of Commissioners approved the multi-use trail plan in November.
Construction began in July 1998, with the initial section between Nickajack Creek and Hicks Road opening by that November.
The former SAL/SCL right of way is rail banked. This means at any time in the future, if rail traffic increases to the point where an old line exists, it could be purchased and track put back down. The right of way would thus become a Class 1 railroad again. The former SAL/SCL line is 78 miles shorter than the line CSXT now uses, the former ACL, and Atlanta & West Point lines, which run well south of the former SAL/SCL line.
In September 2019 the James M. Cox Foundation gave $6 million to the PATH Foundation, which will connect the Silver Comet Trail to the Atlanta Beltline. This project has been split into two parts. The PATH Foundation is responsible for the section from the current Silver Comet Trail terminus at the Mavell Road trailhead and then following the abandoned railroad right of way to Plant Atkinson Road. The Cobb DOT is responsible for the section from Plant Atkinson road to the Atlanta Road/Marietta Boulevard bridge over the Chattahoochee river, following an easement along Atlanta Road. Cobb expects to let its section for bid in Spring 2023. PATH's section is in flux due to legal challenges from railroad right of way easement holders.[5]
In 2013, a detailed study was done on the trail to determine the economic impact of the trail. It was estimated that the trail had 1.9 million uses in 2013. 400,000 of those uses were from out of state. The direct spending of residents and tourists was $57 million. The $118 million economic impact was found to support 1,310 jobs.[6]
The tax revenue generated by the trail was estimated to be about $3.5 million in income tax, sales tax, and business taxes. The study suggested an 4 to 7 increase in property taxes for homes within a quarter mile of the trail, resulting in an increase of $0.5 million in revenue for municipalities and school districts.[6]
In Paulding County, the Silver Comet Trail crosses over the Allatoona Fault; where the trail intersects the fault in the vicinity of Willow Springs Road, the fault serves to divide the distinctive Eastern Blue Ridge rocks from those that most characterize the Western Blue Ridge Province. One rock formation of particular note in Paulding County is the Ordovician-age Pumpkinvine Creek Formation (PCF), primarily composed of metamorphosed volcanic rocks thought to have originated out in the now-vanished, ancient ocean that geologists generally refer to as Iapetus.[7]
The meta-volcanic rocks of the PCF are believed to be remnants of the sort of so-called "accreted terranes" described above, and exposures of PCF rocks can be found on the Silver Comet Trail near the Allatoona Fault.