And I was on that train, the last trip southbound,May 2, 1971. It was the remnant of the famed "Georgian". Down to two coaches on that run, with a snack bar set up at the end of one coach. But they were nice streamlined coaches, not heavyweight mothball equipment so many trains degenerated down to. It arrived Atlanta 2 hrs 35 minutes late.Here is a link that has the history of the Western and Atlantic Railraod between Atlanta and Chattanooga which was built and is stilled owned today by the State of Georgia and leased to CSX. It does travel throughSymrna and Marietta and was the last of the two lines between Atlanta and Chattanoogs to have passenger trains through April 30, 1971. Western and Atlantic
Return home that night to Chattanooga was by Greyhound bus. Funny thing about that run, there was an article in the paper naming the crew and it turns out that the conductor on that last run was the father of a guy I know at my present employment in Atlanta. Small world.