At about 4:00 on Sunday 15 August 1976 two trains were preparing to leave New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal for Chicago. On the left, with E9A 436, P30's 712 and 722 and heater car 1918, was Amtrak No. 58 - the PANAMA LIMITED - which would depart at 4:30. On the right, with its extra lights already illuminated, was a Lutheran Youths Special which would leave at 4:15 as an advance section of 58. It had P30CH units 710 and 704 with E8A 440 and 17 cars: 16-duplex roomette / 4-double bedroom dormitory car 2017 WREN, coaches 6450, 6453 and BN 6404, counter-lounge 8382 , coaches 5807, 5683 and 6067, diner 8099, coach 5403, snack bar coach 3920 SILVER PARLOR, coach-bar-lounge 3820, coaches 6065, 5653, 7200, 6072 and tavern-lounge-observation 3341. |