Stone Mountain RR in Georgia May Be Closing

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Fri Apr 03, 2026 5:22 pm

https://www.trains.com/trn/railroads/he ... e-closure/

Quote:

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. — Future operations at the Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad northeast of Atlanta are unknown after the state-owned park and its operator announced plans to lay off nearly 500 workers.

Thrive Attractions Management, the operator of hospitality attractions at Stone Mountain Park, including its scenic railroad, has issued federally required WARN notices that it will layoff of 497 workers effective June 1. The news was initially reported by online hospitality news site WhatNow.

Among positions included in the layoff notice are variety of operational and leadership roles often associated with tourist railroad operations, as well as a railroad firement. While there is no direct confirmation the railroad is ending operations, the Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad’s website is not accepting train reservations after a 10:40 a.m. departure on Friday, June 5, despite the website saying its upcoming season spans from March 2026 to January 2027.

Thrive Attractions has managed the park and its facilities since 2022. The company manages a portfolio of themed attractions, hotels, golf courses, and recreational venues. The park’s attractions had previously been managed by hospitality group Herschend Family Entertainment from 1998 to 2022.

More at the link, at least for Trains subscribers.

softwerkslex · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2026 11:58 am

497 employees is a lot of labor for a 1:1 scale amusement ride.

Crescent-Zephyr · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 1:15 pm **Posts:** 1800

softwerkslex wrote:

497 employees is a lot of labor for a 1:1 scale amusement ride.

The train ride is only 1 part of Stone Mountain Park. There is an aerial tram, hiking trails, restaurants, laser light show, etc.

Chris Webster · **Joined:** Sat Aug 25, 2007 12:45 am **Posts:** 1087

From a week-old CBS News Story, Operations expected to continue at Stone Mountain Park despite layoffs, new operators say:

Quote:

The Stone Mountain Memorial Association announced on March 30, 2026, that it has selected Stone Mountain Hospitality LLC, a subsidiary of Aramark Destinations, as the next operator of Stone Mountain Park, with an effective date of June 1.

All operations are expected to continue uninterrupted, and existing reservations and commitments — including annual passes, hotel and campground reservations, conferences and group events, and Yellow Daisy Festival vendor registrations — will remain unchanged.

During the transition, Aramark Destinations intends to retain as many existing park and hotel team members as possible. All employees will have the opportunity to apply for positions with Aramark Destinations as part of the transition process.

We are very excited to be a part of Stone Mountain Park and look forward to partnering with the local team members who have dedicated decades of their life to this beautiful place.

Bobharbison · **Joined:** Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:42 pm **Posts:** 3011

Chris Webster wrote:

From a week-old CBS News Story, [i]

Quote:

The Stone Mountain Memorial Association announced on March 30, 2026, that it has selected Stone Mountain Hospitality LLC, a subsidiary of Aramark Destinations, as the next operator of Stone Mountain Park, with an effective date of June 1.

That's what I was hoping (and guessing) the real story was. The old operator lost the contract or chose not to renew or whatever.

So they lay everybody off, and the new company will start from scratch hiring as they see fit. That sucks for the employees, even if you get rehired, you likely start over on things like seniority for vacations etc, but at least operations will continue.