Pre-Amtrak Southern Railway Crescent 1977 with E8 Diesels

[METX611]

Nice classic ol' Southern E8's!

[canders37]

I lived in Alexandria, VA in the mid 70's and spent many hours just sitting on the platform watching the trains come and go. Thamks for the memories. BTW, I love Pat Matheny as well!

[howardkevinm]

i dont understand if the Southern Crescent was privately owned, why are there Amtrak coaches on the train? shouldnt it be an all southern consist?

[cnlGNERnh]

@howardkevinm As best as we can remember, given that the Crescent was a Washington-New Orleans train, the Amtrak cars were carried through/ from New York for riders goingnorth of Washington DC. . I think these were attached to a regular Amtrak train north of  Washington. Also, Southern may have been borrowing some Amtrak equipment to add its own fleet, especially towards then end of Southern operation. That said, the train stayed mostly a Southern consist until the end of private operatation.

[howardkevinm]

@cnlGNERnh ya but every single coach is Amtraks, i know the Southern Crescent still had her own coaches?

[DJGENEX71]

Awesome! Classic! I remember seein the real Southern Crescent back in the mid 70's a a kid, then Amtrak took over, I think that was what really got me into trains, was the Crescent!!! Thanks for sharing this classic footage!!!

[cnlGNERnh]

@DJGENEX71 Thank you for the comments!

[goodeye03]

I had the pleasure of riding the Crescent in 1975 from WAS to ATL, it was fantastic. I was in my Army uniform and had a great time. What a train, it had a Round bar car at the rear. What a great ride compared to the ride from Boston to WAS...Shame that Amtrak has removed the names from so many trains..

[joebeckham1]

I use to work for NS. 1st hired on as a switchman -Char. Yard. Before becoming an engineer out of Grnvll on my off days I would ride the headend, with George Ambrose, to Salisbury, wait an hour, and catch Train #1 back to Char. I rode so often that once George allowed me to run those E-8s half of the trip! It was indeed a marvelous train with the most awesome power, always a lash-up of 4 E-8s, 9000 hp, and the best horn, Nathan M5! Maticulously maintained train throughout engines and all.

[dcatransit]

I used to ride that train a lot to visit family in New Orleans and in Baltimore. I had no idea how lucky I was to be on it! When Southern divested itself of that train, I divested myself of my Southern Rwy stock. Good thing too, as it lost a lot of value after that. Now NS is trading at about the same range as back then!

[ACLTony]

One thing I vaguely remember. The Southern Crescent had a very bad accident when rounding a curve at speed back in 1977 or 78. Anyone remember this? I was a teen then and saw it on the news. I think that a well liked dining car chef or steward was killed.

[cnlGNERnh]

@ACLTony Your memory is correct. Thanks to the wonders of the Internet, this and almost every other major railroad accident has its full report complete with pictures at the Department of Transportation website (ICC accident investigation reports.) I tried to paste the exact link but maybe Youtube doesn't allow that. Google around at that sight and you'll find all the info, I just looked and its there. Cheers!

[telsport]

@cnlGNERnh Lorton Va. Mr Price, the breakfast chef, who was asked by FDR to be his private chef at the White House during the 40's , was killed. I believe 7 died.

Tom Loughlin Jr Utica NY

Grandson of Henry D Cheek Chief Dispatcher of the Clinchfield Railroad.

[ACLTony]

What a gleamer of a train! She was a beauty!

[gregrudd]

Gosh the Southern cars look so well maintained compared to Amtrak's equipment

[cnlGNERnh]

Couple of notes on the Crescent back then: The dining car was so well liked it opened for dinner in Washington prior to departure and one could eat a meal and not even ride the train. There was also one sleeping car room that was a master room with a shower/bath, the only one in the country at that time.