| The low morning sun illuminated the northbound SOUTHERN CRESCENT as it sat in New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal, awaiting its 6:45 AM departure. The train consisted of E8A's 6902, 6910, 6908 and 6914 with 10 cars: baggage-dormitory car 706 SOUTH CAROLINA, coaches 837, 840, 819 and Amtrak 5680, sleepers 2023 WARRIOR RIVER, Amtrak 2619 PACIFIC MEADOW and 3499 ROYAL PALM, diner 3306 and dome car 1613. In less than a year, Amtrak would take over the operation of the train, and scenes like this would disappear forever. |