| In 1951-52 the Louisville & Nashville constructed a shoo-fly at Franklin Avenue in New Orleans, about midway between NO&NE Tower (milepost 802.7) and N.O.T. Tower (milepost 803.7), so that an underpass could be built there. Southbound local No. 7 had just crossed the main line of the Southern Railway at NO&NE Tower, which can be seen in the left background, and was at the north end of the temporary trackage, passing a temporary approach signal for the New Orleans Terminal Co. crossing at N.O.T. Tower. This train was powered by K-5 class Pacific 280, built by Alco’s Brooks Works in 1924; and included a sleeping car on the rear, an unusual occurrence. New FP7 diesels officially replaced steam power on No. 7, as well as 9, 10 and 12, on 27 July 1951, the underpass was dedicated on 16 April 1952, No. 7 was discontinued in 1953 and the 280 was retired on 23 April 1954. (approximate day of photo) |