I have 3 questions:
Is the Crescent Limited still running today with Heritage cars or has it already changed into Superliner cars or Amfleet cars?
Does the Crescent feature dome cars?
Did the Crescent (as a Southern train) also have dome cars before Amtrak took over in 1979?
Amtrak’s Crescent (not called Crescent Limited) regularly runs with Viewliner cars but can at times have Superliners. No domes unless a private car is part of the consist. I believe Southern Rwy. had some domes on their Crescent at one time (others may be able to verify this).
Most days I see the Cresent both northbound and southbound where I live. The consist is usually some viewliners and some coaches. It usually runs two “Gensis” and 10 passenger cars (including one baggage car up front.) On most days the Southbound is on time and the Northbound is usually 2-3hrs. late. Sometimes the Southern Cresent had a dome car towards the rear of the train and I don’t think I have ever personally seen a dome on the Amtrak Cresent.
Hope this helps. [:D]
If you saw a dome car on the Crescent it was a special move, because I believe the Southern never bought a dome car.
I believe that Dave is right on this. I think that an excursion or two might have had one though if my memory now from over 4 decades that might be a streach holds true. PL
They never “bought” any but inherited them from the Central of Georgia.
http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/sou1602.jpg
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=00B8XH
And when did the Viewliners replace the old Heritage cars? Are the coaches still Heritage?
Coaches are Amfleet cars, no superliners. Diners still Heritage cars. Some times the Baggage cars are Heritage, but can also be those converted coaches with the rollup door in the middle.
The Crescent never runs with Superliners because of overhead clearance issues in the tunnel(s) in the northeast, hence the Viewliners.
Also, I rode it a few times as the Southern Crescent Limited (SOU ran it as a LTD) from Slidell, LA to Hattiesburg, MS as a kid, and there was a dome car. I remember rotating kids up and down the dome on field trip rides.
When I have been on the ‘Crescent’ the train has always consisted of :
2 x P42 locomotives
1 x Baggage Car (Heritage or converted Heritage Coach)
2 x Viewliner Sleepers
1 x Heritage Dining Car
1 x Amfleet Lounge
4-5 x Amfleet II Coach
It’s a fun train to ride on, although I’ve not been south of Atlanta yet.
Here are some very recent pics of it, by the way…
http://lahdpop.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=418739
http://lahdpop.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=418746
Crescet ran with a dome through the 1970’s, up till Amtrak takeover. It was switched on and off at Atlanta and ran through to NOL. Lake Ponchetrain (sp) was pretty creepy from inside the dome as you cant see anything but water on both sides as far as you can see. The rolling terrain between Atlanta and Birmingham was nice to see from the dome. My last trip on this route under the Southern was in 1975.
In which year did the Viewliners replace the old Heritage sleepers on this train?
In 1978 I had the pleasure of riding the Cresent from Atlanta to New Orleans. There was a dome car on the trip. It was a great time.