Decommissioned MARTA Railcars Developing into Reef Habitats
Last December, the decommissioned railcars were stripped of hazardous materials and inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard before being transported by barge to Artificial Reef L.
In the first dive since the deployment, the DNR Coastal Resources Division witnessed a good amount of soft coral beginning to grow on the railcars and nine species of game fish.
Photo: MARTA
2 min to read
Two Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) railcars deployed into the Atlantic Ocean seven months ago as part of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Reef Project are gradually developing into reef habitats for marine wildlife.
Last December, the decommissioned railcars were stripped of hazardous materials and inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard before being transported by barge to Artificial Reef L, an established reef about two square miles in size, located approximately 23 nautical miles east of Ossabaw Island and deployed in about 55 to 65 feet of water.
Ad Loading...
Last December, the decommissioned railcars were stripped of hazardous materials and inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard before being transported by barge to Artificial Reef L. Fish and other marine life, such as sea turtles, were likely the first to investigate the railcars when they were deployed.
Photo: MARTA
Railcar Reef Project Update
In the first dive since the deployment, the DNR Coastal Resources Division witnessed a good amount of soft coral beginning to grow on the railcars and nine species of game fish.
“MARTA is proud to be part of repurposing old railcars in this environmentally responsible way,” said MARTA GM/CEO Collie Greenwood. “It’s exciting to see this type of development on the railcars after only a few months and we hope to provide more retired railcars for reef deployment as we make room for our new trains.”
While the substrate for the reef is manmade, the organisms that grow on it are entirely natural and beneficial for the environment.
Fish and other marine life, such as sea turtles, were likely the first to investigate the railcars when they were deployed.
Corals, sponges, and other encrusting organisms are taking hold now and will continue to grow and improve the longer they are in the ocean.
Ad Loading...
SCUBA divers and anglers have also been using the reef.
“The artificial reef is looking great, and we are encouraged by the amount of coral growth and marine wildlife activity,” said Cameron Brinton, a marine biologist with DNR’s Coastal Resources Division. “You’ll notice one of the railcar roofs has collapsed, which is typical, and we’ll see more changes to the railcars over time as they become part of the essential marine habitat for sea creatures, including popular sport fish and endangered sea turtles.”
Corals, sponges, and other encrusting organisms are taking hold now and will continue to grow and improve the longer they are in the ocean.
Photo: MARTA
A History of Railcars as Artificial Reefs
MARTA’s railcars join previously deployed materials, including U.S. Army M-60 battle tanks, barges, tugboats, New York City subway cars, and other manmade structures.
Artificial Reef L was first created in 1976 as part of a network of 32 offshore reefs that the Coastal Resources Division has been building and improving for more than 40 years.
Operation Lifesaver awarded $220,200 in grants to 12 states to support rail safety campaigns focused on grade crossing awareness and trespass prevention.
The survey showed that commute trips still make up the majority of ridership, with most riders boarding 2 to 3 days a week, reflecting hybrid work schedules. Two-thirds of Caltrain riders have access to a car, while 37% of Caltrain riders are considered low-income.
Advances in data and analytics are giving transit agencies new opportunities to refine maintenance practices, improve efficiency and make more informed decisions about asset performance.
In this Consultant Roundtable, Carmen C. Cham shares insights on how agencies can create spaces that are intuitive, connected and built for long-term impact.
The Red Line Extension Project will provide the Far South Side of Chicago with rapid rail transit for the first time by extending the Red Line by 5.5 miles from 95th Street to 130th Street, including the construction of four new Red Line stations at 103rd, 111th, Michigan, and 130th streets.
The Siemens CBTC System, Trainguard MT, in compliance with New York Subway Interoperability Interface Specifications, enables trains to run as close as 90 seconds apart, using next-generation signaling and continuous communication to keep operations moving seamlessly.
While recognizing regional economic constraints and continuing to improve service, the budget increases the jurisdictional subsidy to less than 1.8%, significantly below the inflation rate and the 3% regional target, said agency officials.
With more than 59,400,000 boardings since the service’s debut, the A Line’s utilization surpassed that of all other RTD rail services in 2025, the agency reported.
The plan outlines funding for transit operations, capital projects, and freight and passenger rail initiatives, as state officials seek public input on priorities shaping mobility and infrastructure across the Commonwealth.
