Trains: December 2007 Archives

Making way for modernization -- The Illinois Central Railroad's "Union Station" is being torn down to make way for the new Union Passenger Terminal in 1951. The UPT was the brainchild of then-mayor deLesseps Story "Chep" Morrison. Prior to the UPT, the railroads operated five separate passenger stations in the city. Morrison's vision was to unify passenger service, and the Loyola Avenue location of the IC's station made the best sense for the project.

Compare this photo with last week's, which is an aerial view of the trackage leading into Union Station from a couple years before it was demolished.

The Union Passenger Terminal still services Amtrak trains and Greyhound bus service.

Photo courtesy New Orleans Public Library

clicky for larger image

Aerial view of the Illinois Central roundhouse near Earhart Boulevard in Central City, 1949. The roundhouse is an engine facility for passenger trains servicing the IC's Union Station. The station was demolished in 1952 when the new Union Passenger Terminal was constructed in front of it on Loyola Avenue.

Since steam engines were no longer used for passenger trains coming into New Orleans by the 1950s, the roundhouse was torn down and replaced by a diesel engine facility. The railroad also expanded its coach yard and Pullman service facility. These facilities were taken over by Amtrak in 1972, and remain in use by Amtrak to the present.

To the left of the roundhouse facility is Earhart Blvd. The building at center-left is Booker T. Washington High School, and just above the school is the B. W. Cooper housing project.

The Pullman car, "City of New Orleans," owned by the New Orleans Public Belt, at Esplanade Avenue and the River. The NOPB operates charters of this car for groups. A group can hire the car, and NOPB will pull it out to the Huey P. Long, cross the river, then back.

Photos courtesy of Mr. P. R. Abbey, with our thanks!