3 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

This thread is to discuss our travels on the southbound Crescent, from Northeast points to New Orleans, starting Wednesday, July 11th and arriving Thursday evening, July 12th.

[KevinKorell]

So far, so good.   4 of the 8 people travelling today rode the Crescent between New York and Washington.  Maurice detrained there, and met us briefly on the platform.  The 4 originating in Washington joined the rest as we are now proceeding south through Virginia.    Two started dinner before Washington.  Five ate soon after we left Washington.  So far the sleeper and dining crews seem attentive and cordial.  

[KevinKorell]

Thursday morning found us arising around Greenville, SC and about 1-1/2 hours late.   We went to breakfast at our own pace, and enjoyed the food and service.  By the time of our first leg stretching stop, also known as Atlanta, we were approximately 2 hours down.  The detraining and boarding process at this horrible inept excuse for a station takes a lot longer than it should have to. Because of the narrow platform, the boarding process cannot begin until every passenger getting off there has cleared. So no time could be made up there.

 

More delays as we went through western Georgia and northeastern Alabama.  Freights were met with some regularity, and we also found ourselves behind a particularly slow one in the same direction. In one case we had to pull off into a half siding and then back out onto the main track again.   All 7 of us had lunch together.   Just before the Birmingham station, we had to wait for a very long CSX freight that had been given clearance even though we had gotten to the intersection first.  Then in Birmingham, our second and final fresh (but smoky) air stop, another long boarding process ensued as there were a lot of outbound luggage and coach passengers.  After one false start out of Birmingham, we stopped with the sleepers still on the platform as yet another freight train got the right of way. We finally departed Birmingham for good a little past 3:00, almost 3 hours down.

 

So we are expecting that New Orleans arrival tonight (Thursday) would be 10:30 PM CDT at best.

[KevinKorell]

Everyone,

 

Given what took place aboard this train about an hour after I posted the above most recent update, I felt it appropriate to hide this until we considered our next steps and after I could bring myself to post the announcement.   I've let this go public now and will continue reporting limited details of the trip, which we really find awkward calling a Fest at this point.

 

The Crescent did arrive into New Orleans at 10:39 PM, which was 3 hours 7 minutes late.