| Was there a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than by timing mileposts in the observation car of Amtrak's PANAMA LIMITED as the train made its way from New Orleans to Hammond, Louisiana? Here I am with a cold drink, a box of CRACKER JACK and two wrist watches in Amtrak observation-lounge car 3344, previously Seaboard Coast Line 5844 and originally Seaboard Air Line 6604. The train consisted of P30's 700 and 701, heater car 1918, deadhead coaches 6810 and 5805, baggage car 1093, 6-6-4 sleeper-dorm 2150 SILVER FLOWER, 10-6 sleeper 2601 PACIFIC BEACH, diner-lounge 8310, coaches 5408, 6020, 5804 and 6073, with observation car 3344. |