NS AN-03 Delivers to the NOPB - 2-22-1996

NS Action in New Orleans

Sort of keeping in line with my "Random Roll" scanning concept, I am currently methodically scanning images in sequential order from a large photo album of images taken by me in 1996.  I was pleasantly surprised to find this group of images taken on February 22, 1996 of Norfolk Southern Yard Job AN-03 using GP38-2 5126 to deliver a cut of cars to the New Orleans Public Belt (NOPB) in the French Quarter.

Railroad activity between the south end of NS Oliver Yard and the NOPB along the river does not occur very frequently.  Adding to this the less-than-safe nature of the neighborhood at the time meant the this was really a little photographed aspect of railroading in the Big Easy!

The set begins with a few shots of the train leaving Oliver Yard at North Rampart Street.  There is a large block of gondolas on the head end.

Most of the images were taken from the trackside dock of the Port of New Orleans Esplanade Avenue Wharf where the train can be seen nosing into the French Quarter before shoving the cars onto the NOPB interchange track.  There is a great shot of the NS 5126 passing the Souther Railway Park sign on a classic light pole.  This is where the NS could spot up to three business cars allowing guests excellent access to the French Quarter and the Louisiana Super Dome.  Dan Akroyd's private car, GM&O 50, can also be seen in its French Quarter home.

The last shot is of the NS 5126 crossing St. Claude Avenue by itself as it returns to NS Oliver Yard after having delivered the cars to the NOPB.  

​Chris