This is curently the only trans-continental
passenger train in the US. The name came from the Southern Pacific train
that followed the Sunset Route. It was inaugurated April 1st, 1993. However
the train has run into trouble. It has been really rough for Amtrak to
keep the Sunset Limited on schedule. The Eastbound version was scheduled
to arrive for 7:53 (through the Summer 2000) in Tallahasssee. The reality
is that it rarely made it before noon When the schedule was changed to
a 9:30 then a 12:30 arrival, the train still posted 2 to 4 hour delays.
I sometimes even manage to get a glimpse of it after work. The westbound,
which has only to travel from Sanford, can already be 1/2 to 1 hour late.
Links to photos: Sunset Limited 1997 Sunset Limited New Orleans-Houston Sunset limited 1999-2000 Sunset Limited 2001-2002 Sunset Limited Orlando 2002 Tallahassee, Fl; Memorial
Day 1997. My first hit of the Sunset Limited. I get up early in hope to catch
it at 7:53. After driving around the yard for a little while, I finally
catch it at the station, the oldest depot in Florida.
Tallahassee Fl; July 4 th 1997. On a day-off work, I get up early and quickly catch this one almost
on time.
Chattahoochee, Fl; Labor Day, 1997. One of the guilty spots is Chattahoochee, a place where crews of freight
trains are changed. Unfortunately there are not enough tracks to accomodate
the traffic. I drive to the station early, then to Quincy, then to
Chattahoochee. I finally spot it in Boykin. I catch up with it at River
Junction as it meets Q101 in the background. It is still morning but barely.
