After arriving at Moisant Stock Yards International Airport I managed to catch an express bus downtown, which was better than the old local bus I took in 2009, but limited service meant nearly an hour wait at the airport. After dropping bags at the hotel I went out to join a local at Bar Tonique on Rampart, where [SCENE MISSING] until I caught RTA Red Car #2017 on Canal at St. Charles Junction.
The next morning the goal was to hit up Fatma's Cozy Corner in the Treme. Unfortunately the Rampart Line had been forced closed due to a building collapse in 2019 and my trip happened to be a month shy of the reopening so I was forced to walk the better part of a mile to the café after getting off the Canal St Line at Caliborne where RTA Red Car #2003 had bunched with #2004.
After breakfast it was back downtown via Red Car #2011 and after helping my friend not purchase a time share, it was time to ride RTA Perley Thomas class car #900 out to the Carrollton Street carhouse.
Heading outbound on the St Charles St right of way we passed green cars #953, #930 #954.
The Carrollton St carhouse kept the last bit of the New Orleans streetcar heritage going until the city began to rebuild the network in the late 1990's. The facility fits into a standard city grid block and contains everything needed to keep the 1920's vintage green cars in service.
Although vintage Perley Thomas Car Company green cars, like #922 and #948 here, take up the majority of the carhouse billets, one row stables additional historic cars and MUNI cable car #59 (for some reason). Modern Brookville red cars like #2016 can show up from time to time.
The 10 ready service tracks feature inspection pits and are covered by a high triangular arch roof to let in sun and help catch the heat. In the United States, only Philadelphia has comparable historic streetcar infrastructure.
About a half mile away from the Carrollton Carbarn was the New Orleans Sewer and Water Board's Carrollton powerhouse which generates 25hz power for about half of the storm water pumps inside the below sea level "bathtub" that most of the city sits. This pump system, along with Amtrak's and SEPTA's railroad electrification systems comprise the three surviving 25hz power grids in North America. The power is generated using a traditional boiler and steam turbine system with a group of 5 EMD 567 diesel engines acting as a backup.
After walking through a tunnel of live oaks, I caught green car #953 at Willow St Jct.
For ADA purposes the NOLA RTA has started running some green painted red cars on the St. Charles Line as the newer equipment is equipped with wheelchair lifts.
Due to running ahead of schedule, my party decided to grab a pint at the conveniently located Carrollton Station carbar.
After returning to Willow St Jct, we were greeted by a literal parade of outbound cars, #900, #906 and #951, that were all returning to the Carrollton Carbarn, presumably for a shift change.
This was followed by a 4th pull-in car, #954, before #907 finally arrived to take us back downtown.
Demand was surprisingly light so #907 ran semi-express most of the way back downtown, which I was able to capture with an open-window video.
Back downtown here are #907, #463 and #2012.
The following day was largely spent on Frenchman St so here is #2003 the Riverfront Line's northern terminus at French Market. The Riverfront Line was the first of New Orleans' streetcar revival and somewhat ironically now sees rather limited service as the NOLA waterfront generally failed to become the tourist hub planners had intended.
The next morning I went down to NOUPT's CLARA ST interlocking tower to catch the morning departure of that day's northbound Crescent Train 20. Power consisted of ALC-42 Charger #324 with P42DC #18 running behind for reliability purposes.
CLARA ST was built along with NOUPT in the 1950's and was in service until ~2005 when the terminal was put under remote control to 21ST ST tower in Chicago and then the Chicago Train Director desks. Available evidence indicates that the the relay interlocking plant was not replaced and the NX panel might still exist in the tower for local control.
New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal was opened in 1953 and is largely considered to be the last of the major urban "Union Stations" to be constructed in North America. Today it plays horst to 3 Amtrak long distance trains (Crescent, City of New Orleans, Sunset Limited) with Mardi Gras regional service soon to follow. The station also hosts Greyhound, which must be a relief to its riders since the bankrupt company was not able to sell it off.
Amtrak P32-8WH #507 was on hand as the NOUPT switcher that day. These versatile units can tow trainsets to/from the yard, power work trains and even appear at the head of passenger trains in the event of a breakdown.
After NOUPT we met up with a local who offered to drive my party over to EAST BRIDGE JCT to check out the interlocking tower and try and catch both Cities of New Orleans. EAST BRIDGE JCT, along with its partner WEST BRIDGE JCT were built by the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad a either end of the railroad's Huey P. Lewis Bridge, which opened in 1935 to connect the Port of New Orleans to railroads on the west bank of the Mississippi. The towers remained in operation until 2019, when they were finally resignaled with control of EAST BRIDGE JCT passing to Canadian National.
With Train 59 running late, Train 58 was first through EAST BRIDGE JCT, taking a chance on ALC-42 #312 being able to complete the trip on its own.
Southbound City of New Orleans Train #59 then appeared with P42DC #199 leading, but was forced to hold again for a westbound Union Pacific manifest freight taking the single track ladder from the NOLA Back Belt to the Huey Lewis Bridge.
Power for the Union Pacific freight was provided by AC4400 #5846, C44ACM #7301 and C44ACM #7113.
After the UP freight train cleared up, Train 59, powered by P42DC #199 and ALC42 #317, got its lineup to proceed the last few miles to NOUPT.
Well that was quite the trip. Check back next time as I stay a bit closer to home to see what's hopping at Amtrak's Race St Engine Terminal and other Philly stuff.
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