Superliner Diner, as an Atlantan I certainly did enjoy your report. I live about 4-5 blocks north of the Amtrak station, away from town. My normal route to work consists of boarding the #23 bus in front of my apartment building, riding to the Arts Center Station and making an automatic transfer to a southbound train. At night, I can take any northbound train, since I live south of the Lindbergh station, and change at the arts center station back to a #23 bus.
Actually, though, I walk a lot ,so, sometimes at night I leave town on the train, then walk home from the Arts Center station, going right by the Amtrak Station. Other nights I ride the train all the way to Lenox and walk back from there, about an hour 15 minute walk for me.
On the bus between home and Arts Center, I do, of course, go by the Amtrak station. If I work late I keep an eye out for the Crescent at night. Of course I would never see the southbound unless I am busing around or driving around on Saturday or Sunday.
MARTA is a pretty good system for what it does---but does not go to nearly enough places very well, such as .Stone Mountain Park, which you mention. At work I get a reduced rate on the monthly transcard, only $35.Quite a deal. I do not need the car in my work so only drive on weekends. Otherwise MARTA, and walking.
Oh yes,...you can see my apartment (a 16 story building) from the Crescent if you know where to look for it. coming south it is on the right hand side of the train, off in a distance. The Crescent also goes over familiar places where I drive or shop.