It's a few minutes after 5 P.M. and Illinois Central train No. 208, the NORTHEASTERN LIMITED, has just backed out of Shreveport Union Station and is now moving forward, beginning its 313-mile, 9-hour journey to Meridian, Mississippi and a connection with the Southern Railway's northbound PELICAN. Today's train has four mail-and-express cars, a Railway Post Office and three coaches, although it typically ran with just one coach. In the station, Kansas City Southern train No. 10 from New Orleans is being combined with train No. 16 which originated in Port Arthur and will soon depart for Kansas City. IC No. 208 - and its counterpart No. 205 - would be discontinued between Vicksburg and Meridian on 24 October 1967, and between Shreveport and Vicksburg on 30 March 1968. (approximate date of photo) |