MrEd
Conductor
9/20 on the #19 Crescent.
I was scheduled to take the #19 train from Charlotte to New Orleans at 2:20am. The southbound crescent was on time, until the northbound crescent which was running late pulled into the Charlotte station at 2am. This caused my southbound train to hold outside of the station. The northbound train had to get some fuel and a new engineer so this delay meant I started my trip 20 minutes late. I boarded my sleeper along with one couple, the rest of the people were going coach. I think when the new downtown station is finished we can get two trains in there at the same time, just no time soon.
The train seemed to rock back and forth a good bit so I did not get a sound sleep for the most part. Then we hit this really smooth part and I was fast asleep. Well this turns we were not moving, but stuck behind a freight that had engine trouble. This put us over an hour late into Atlanta. Normally you don’t have issues with freight on a Sunday, or so they tell me.
I was up at 7am for breakfast. I ordered the French toast, pork sausage, orange juice and coffee. I was told they don’t have the pork sausage; I don’t like the turkey variety so I said that’s fine. I got my orange juice but it was apple, the good news was they really did have the pork sausage so things evened out for me.
It rained on and off through North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.
I took a shower after breakfast but the water was not hot, so it was a really short shower. The water in my room was not hot today either. The dining lady came through to the car to let everyone know we have to turn our clocks back one hour as we are now in Alabama and on central time – lunch at noon CT. I could use a nap before lunch anyway. I think they can make up some time getting to Birmingham.
So normally breakfast is at 6:30, lunch 12-2 and dinner at 5pm for only one seating, you snooze you lose. No reservations accepted.
The train had one p42 engine and some older model, not sure why that might be. Engine number is 512. I would have to guess they picked that up in Washington DC. There are 3 coach cars; the one at the front is empty with train number 9999 on it. I am sure there is a list of engines someplace that would explain it, just no idea where it is kept.
For lunch I had the BBQ sandwich on a toasted roll, with a side of chips. I was supposed to get a side salad but Derrick forgot to bring it. I did like the bbq, nice change from having the hamburger. It is same menu from last month. They seem a little disorganized in the diner, maybe because it’s not really busy and they are just being slackers today.
The train never made up any time and in fact lost additional time. I made it to the 5pm seating, there were only a few people taking advantage of the offer. I had the flat iron and my tablemate the special, crab cakes. Both where good, all the cheesecake was gone though, so much for after dinner treat. My friend is going to visit his mom in Slidell, she will be 100 years old this week.
Hotels in New Orleans fairly cheap this month, I put a bid in on priceline for $45, so I found a nice place to stay downtown within walking distance from the station.
I traveled 770 miles from Charlotte to New Orleans in 17 hours, so about 45 miles per hour. This slower speed makes it possible to seen the scenery so I am not complaining. Also if it averaged 60 mph, I would miss out on dinner on the train. On the Crescent, you get America at “see level”.
I was scheduled to take the #19 train from Charlotte to New Orleans at 2:20am. The southbound crescent was on time, until the northbound crescent which was running late pulled into the Charlotte station at 2am. This caused my southbound train to hold outside of the station. The northbound train had to get some fuel and a new engineer so this delay meant I started my trip 20 minutes late. I boarded my sleeper along with one couple, the rest of the people were going coach. I think when the new downtown station is finished we can get two trains in there at the same time, just no time soon.
The train seemed to rock back and forth a good bit so I did not get a sound sleep for the most part. Then we hit this really smooth part and I was fast asleep. Well this turns we were not moving, but stuck behind a freight that had engine trouble. This put us over an hour late into Atlanta. Normally you don’t have issues with freight on a Sunday, or so they tell me.
I was up at 7am for breakfast. I ordered the French toast, pork sausage, orange juice and coffee. I was told they don’t have the pork sausage; I don’t like the turkey variety so I said that’s fine. I got my orange juice but it was apple, the good news was they really did have the pork sausage so things evened out for me.
It rained on and off through North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.
I took a shower after breakfast but the water was not hot, so it was a really short shower. The water in my room was not hot today either. The dining lady came through to the car to let everyone know we have to turn our clocks back one hour as we are now in Alabama and on central time – lunch at noon CT. I could use a nap before lunch anyway. I think they can make up some time getting to Birmingham.
So normally breakfast is at 6:30, lunch 12-2 and dinner at 5pm for only one seating, you snooze you lose. No reservations accepted.
The train had one p42 engine and some older model, not sure why that might be. Engine number is 512. I would have to guess they picked that up in Washington DC. There are 3 coach cars; the one at the front is empty with train number 9999 on it. I am sure there is a list of engines someplace that would explain it, just no idea where it is kept.
For lunch I had the BBQ sandwich on a toasted roll, with a side of chips. I was supposed to get a side salad but Derrick forgot to bring it. I did like the bbq, nice change from having the hamburger. It is same menu from last month. They seem a little disorganized in the diner, maybe because it’s not really busy and they are just being slackers today.
The train never made up any time and in fact lost additional time. I made it to the 5pm seating, there were only a few people taking advantage of the offer. I had the flat iron and my tablemate the special, crab cakes. Both where good, all the cheesecake was gone though, so much for after dinner treat. My friend is going to visit his mom in Slidell, she will be 100 years old this week.
Hotels in New Orleans fairly cheap this month, I put a bid in on priceline for $45, so I found a nice place to stay downtown within walking distance from the station.
I traveled 770 miles from Charlotte to New Orleans in 17 hours, so about 45 miles per hour. This slower speed makes it possible to seen the scenery so I am not complaining. Also if it averaged 60 mph, I would miss out on dinner on the train. On the Crescent, you get America at “see level”.
