Amtrak 20 glides through Monroe, VA where the Southern once had a depot, yard, roundhouse, and wye. All that remains is the single track mainline that the Crescent still traverses daily, now behind silver and blue P42s instead of a green and gold Ps4.
Amtrak took over the New York - New Orleans market when the Southern Railway discontinued its famed Southern Crescent. Following the same route, it takes two days and a night to connect the Big Apple with the Big Easy. The crossing of Lake Ponchartrain is
With Northeast Regional trains, Auto Train and long distance service to Florida, New Orleans and Chicago, a lot of train riding and train watching can be had.