AMTRAK
SILVER SERVICES TO FLORIDA
Southbound Silver Meteor
Folkston, Ga; June 1999.
A few days after the official take-over of Conrail by CSX and NS, I
get to Folkston in hope of getting some Conrail engines before they get
renumbered. Not much luck the first weekend, but instead, I get the southbound
Meteor right on time. I can tell by the pre-deluge stage of the clouds
in the sky.
Folkston, Ga; March 1999.
In the morning, one of the best spots is up from the bridge. The coal
train from Waycross waits for the southbound Meteor from Savannah.
Jacksonville (Moncrief), Fl; October 1997.
After bareling down the track all night long, it is time for an engine
break. Water, fuel and a brush-up of the windshield is part of the treat.
Sanford, Fl; February 1998.
This Meteor is only a couple of miles from Sanford Autotrain Facility.
The crew learns that they will be riding a cool engine in a cool paintscheme!!!!
Sanford, Fl; February 1998.
Florida Fun Train 354 checked out OK at its regular maintenance check
at the Amtrak shop. It is time to go home and back to work. The colorful
engine is put in charge of the southbound Silver Meteor under the watchful
eyes of the members of ACL-SAL Historical Society touring the Amtrak Autotrain
facility and under skies turning darker by the minute. We all will learn
later that a few miles north of the area, killer tornadoes are about to
unleash their destructive force.