Amtrak's westbound SUNSET was about five minutes out of New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal, as viewed from the Jefferson Davis Parkway overpass. The train consisted of SP FP7A's 6454 and 6457, F7B 8290, and FP7A 6447 with 14 cars: baggage car 1002, low-level coaches 5231, 4447 and ATSF 2826; high-level coaches 9910, 9932, 9943 and 9901; diner 8035, dormitory-lounge 3390, diner SP 10211, 11-bedroom sleeper STAR CREST, 16-4 SCL ORIOLE and transcontinental 10-6 2759 PALM SUMMIT. The SP F-units always smoked like this when they first left the station, after being parked all night. That's the Louisiana SUPERDOME under construction in the background. |