The original line was constructed by the Apalachicola Northern Railroad between 1905 and 1910.

The Apalachicola Northern continued to operate it through various corporate reorganizations until 2002, when it leased the line to the Rail Management Corporation, which also acquired its locomotives, rolling stock, and railroad equipment.

[1] Genesee & Wyoming acquired the Rail Management Corporation and its railroads in 2005.

Unlike most shortlines, the AN Railway's locomotive fleet consisted entirely of originally purchased units direct from the manufacturer, as opposed to the purchasing of second-hand engines.

[2] Its diesel roster is primarily EMD hood units, although many of these locomotives were sold off after business on the railroad dropped with the closure of some industrial areas.