19-03-28 PHOTOS: Texas Eagle - Part 1

Of all of Amtrak's "western" long distance trains, the Texas Eagle is probably the second most bland, in terms of scenery, behind only the City of New Orleans. The only scenic part of the trip, through the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas, takes place at night in both directions of travel. My westbound Texas Eagle, despite being between 60 and 90 minutes late, had just departed Texarkana when I finally finished up breakfast in the dining car and started my work for the day. South of St. Louis the Eagle runs on former Missouri Pacific territory and within the State of Texas this means a single track with passing sidings, lots of pine trees and more than a few swamps. Still it was an interesting journey with more than a few classic signals still in service and a healthy amount of Union Pacific freight traffic.

You can find the full set of photos here (mirror), but I am going to be splitting this up into two parts with Part 1 covering Texarkana to Longview and Part 2 Longview to Dallas.

Crossing the KCS Diamond south of Texarkana it was only about 90 miles to Longview and, despite our lateness, the dispatcher had done a good job clearing opposing traffic into various passing sidings. The first of these was a train of autoracks hauled by UP ES44AH #8169 and AC4400 #7187 sitting in the Sulphur siding.

We were all set of a quick dash to Longview when the engineer slammed on the brakes and stopped short of a random red flag placed by the side of the right of way by persons unknown. Calls to the dispatcher could not ascertain who placed the flag and it took over an hour to resolve the issue as nobody wanted to run afoul of what could be an FRA rule compliance test. Although an MoW crew was nearby, the flag resembled something used by a local freight to protect crossings or mark the end of a train. 

Classic MoPac signals and relay huts were sprinkled around such as at the south end of the Springdale siding.

The hour delay on the main had forced opposing traffic to pull off into sidings and because the delay was the fault of UP and not Amtrak I suspect the dispatcher was told to give us clear track as much as possible. The first train we passed was led by UP SD70ACe #8844, NS C44-10W #7700 and UP GP40N #1575 on the Queen City siding.

The old MoPac station in Atlanta Texas.

Another northbound train in the Bivins siding with UP ET44AC #6314 and CSX ES44AH #3021 leading a merchandise train.

Next we overtook a stone train lead by UP ES44AC #7436 and AC4400 #6866 on the Kildare siding.

The swampy terrain was reminiscent of the Sunset Limited route through Houston and Beaumont.

For the station stop at Marshall, TX the Eagle pulls off onto the siding track. The UP Little Rock Sub makes a 90 degree turn to the West at Marshall and the station platform is situated on this curve and the passenger station in the middle of the wye. 

 Marshall was once the starting point for the Texas and Pacific railroad, which was always part of the Missouri Pacific sphere of influence, but was not formally merged into the MP until 1976. While the old T&P yard and shop complex in Marshall is pretty much gone, a preserved T&P 2-8-2 type steam locomotive, #400, sits at the station.

A long string of mostly EMD power was waiting at the head of a merchandise freight on the Keokuck siding.

 

This train was followed by a track patrol hi-rail also on the siding.

Pair of UP ES44AC's, #8214 and #8098, on the second main track just north of Longview with a mixed freight in tow.

Pulling past the Longview Yard crew base, another mixed freight headed by ES44AC #8182, SD70M #4360 and AC4400AC #6040 was waiting to head north.

MoW equipment was occupying some of the old station tracks.

Train 21 Passengers enjoying their smoke stop at Longview.

Well that's it for Part 1, we'll pack back up here next week.