| In New Iberia the main line of the SUNSET ROUTE runs down the middle of Washington Street for about four blocks, from Center Street to French Street. Up until early 1978 there were two tracks embedded in the pavement, just like streetcar tracks; even though the former westbound main line had not been used since about 1954. When this photo was taken, looking east, the unused track was being removed and westbound train Second 241 -- with L&N U23B 2704 -- was about to enter Washington Street at Center Street. A few years later, the track was placed in a ballasted trough in the middle of the street. The switch in the foregound was the east leg of the wye connection with the Midland Branch. Up until 1970 a Missouri Pacific track ran down the middle of Pershing Street, one block to the right. |