Amtrak's recently-painted Phase IV heritage P42 no. 164 makes an appearance on the point of a pleasantly-late Crescent as it leans into the s-curve at Red Lane on a bright summer morning.
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