b'TOURISMEconomic Benefit: Nancy Pesce, left, director of Nashville Main Street, and Winshelle Winnie Preston, manager of the Nashville Farmers Market, are pleased that the Azalea Sprinter has increased foot traffic at the market and downtown shops and restaurants.It gives another thing for tourism. Instead of people coming for just one day at Wild Adventures, they can stay overnight and come downtown do some shopping and eating and then take a train ride.- SCOTT JAMES MATHESONThe Next StopWhile looking to add more train stops, Parrott says, Our goal is to connect the line so we can bring the train to Valdostas downtown. Then, people could get off the train for a few hours and shop and eat.CPR runs freight trains to Valdosta on the Norfolk Southern lines; however, those lines dont allow passenger trains. Now, when we run a passenger train to Valdosta, it stops at Park Avenue, Parrott. The next step is to install 1.7 miles of track to connect to downtown Valdosta. Bringing the Azalea Sprinter to Valdosta is expected to create three to five million in annual economic impact. Its a project that has Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson excited about creating more revitalization and tourism opportunities.The estimated $3.5 million project will include a train depot near Savannah Avenue. It is still in the planning stage, butRepeat Riders: Keith and Tara Goble, from Valdosta, use the Azalea Sprinter to celebrate family events.18 SG MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2021'