On Wednesday, December 29, 2004, Amtrak 21, the southbound Texas Eagle, arrived in Little Rock at 1:35 p.m., 9 hours and 5 minutes late. It left at 1:56 p.m., 9 hours and 26 minutes late (scheduled arrival was 4:30 a.m.). Equipment problems delayed its Chicago departure until midnight instead of the usual late afternoon (see full explanation of delay at the end of the photos by Gene Poon).  The train had two private cars on the rear, Evelyn and Warren Henry), thus it has two locomotives. Its consist was: Engine 51, Engine 63, Baggage 1159, Sleeper 32013, Diner 38065, Sightseer Lounge 33004, Coach 34005, Coach 31543, Coach 31520, Coach 32067, Private car Evelyn Henry, Private Obs-Dome Warren Henry.  To contact me, email: trains@trainweather.com


The long train takes the Amtrak siding at Union Station in Little Rock at 1:35 p.m. It didn't leave unitl 1:56 p.m.


Amtrak Engine No. 51 passes NS 9184.


Warren Henry private dome-obs.


Most of the train from atop the curved staircase at Union Station.


LEFT-The last car on the train was the dome-obs car Warren Henry.  They had a "Happy Holidays' sign on the end plus a Christmas wreath.  RIGHT-There was a huge crowd of people getting off the train, as well as getting on.


LEFT-More of the Amtrak crowd. It was nice to see a passenger train here in Little Rock during the daytime, but I imagine some passengers didn't appreciate the good lighting since it was so late.  RIGHT-Little Rock Amtrak Agent Richard Finch unloads tons of baggage. He'd been on shift since 11 p.m. the night before.


Here's the train from the south side of Union Station. For a short MPEG sound digital movie of the train starting to leave, click the image above.


Another freight passes, this time a northbound headed by CSX 8620. Although most locomotives here are UP, it's interesting that the two that passed Amtrak today were NS and CSX.


Leaving Little Rock at 1:56 p.m. with Evelyn and Warren Henry tailing.

Gene Poon emailed:The equipment turned from City of New Orleans, Train 58(27DEC) which arrived late at 1050am. Train is normally turned on the platform, but several cars had to be replaced: Coach 34050 was B/O for cockroach infestation. Lounge 33016 and Transition Sleeper 39014 were B/O for freeze damage and burst pipes. Diner 38025 had set off defect detectors
numerous times on Train 58, inspection found it was B/O for wheels and bearings. Train was taken to yard; the B/O cars replaced with Coach 34005, Lounge 33004, Sleeping Car 32015, and Diner 38065, consist made up and went back to platform for cleaning and servicing at 755pm. Two hours later, at 955pm, Sleeping Car 32015, which had replaced the Transition Sleeper, was found to be B/O for freeze damage. At 1042pm the train was cut and the head end moved back to yard to replace the 32015 with the 32013. Shoved back and train made up again at 1115pm. Train released at 1213am, passengers boarded and train departed, as per Amtrak's OS, at 1232am, 9 hr 12 min late.
 
Passengers were given complimentary vouchers for meals in Chicago Union Station.

-Gene Poon