| The American Freedom Train heads into the morning sun on the Illinois Central Gulf's Baton Rouge District at signal L438.3, between Destrehan and St. Rose, Louisiana. The photo was taken from the open platform of the last car on the 26-car train as it made its way from Baton Rouge to New Orleans behind former Southern Pacific 4-8-4 number 4449. The cars to the left of the signal are Display Cars numbered downward from 109. The cars to the right are Display Car 110, Exit Car 111, Power Car 200, Sleeper 201, Combine 202, Lounge 203, Hospitality Car 204 and Press Car 205. The signal is located on the 'wrong' side of the track because the signal system utilizes a single mast on one side of the track, with signal heads facing in both directions. The signals along this line were originally located on both sides of the track; but after the high-voltage power line was installed along the right-of-way, electrical interference required the the IC to replace the signal system. |