To acknowledge the internationals who may visit, all of these action shots occured between Lafayette and Schriever, Louisiana in an area along US 90, commonly called Sugarcane Alley. This area is one of the most mysterious and awesomely beautiful places in the world. These are a few pictures of the little railroad engines that ply these fields, forest, swamps, lost lines and mainlines of Sugarcane Alley.
The L&D runs on the historic rails of the Southern Pacific,
Missouri Pacific, Iberia and Vermillion, and Franklin and
Abbeville. This was the stretch to the Avery Island Salt
Mine and pepper sauce factory. Ever hear of Tabasco?
The is the Iberia and Vermillion Junction. The curved way
went to Eunice, the straight went to the salt mine. It
came from New Iberia.
Pipe gondolas lined up on the Avery Island dead end.
Now the engines. This is my favorite place to view the
north yard in New Iberia. It is the only shade available
on the east side of Williams St.
At the salt mine near Breaux Bridge. Why? It was a good
comparison between a big semi and a small diesel.
Another shade tree shot taken at Breaux Bridge.
Coming into New Iberia from Abbeville and the Port of
Iberia, located on the old Franklin and Abbeville RR.
West of Baldwin on the Weeks Island branch, the L&D
visits a carbon black plant. This shot could go on their
caledar.
I didn't know the L&D has the need for a robot, but there
she is.
Loading up at the Breaux Bridge salt mine.
Crossing La.94 at Breaux Bridge.
Why I call it Sugarcane Alley.
This is how most motorist wish it was. At the same
BB crossing.
Again in BB. Working with reduced mobility (lost rails),
dealing with Enterprise is a hassle.
The parking lot in BB.
Just cause I like it. Mz Utah at the New Iberia Williams yard.
Wading through the swamp near BB.
There is a troubling spot on the rails I've heard them mention.
It is behind the engine.
I think a roller coaster effect is the troubling part.
The Williams yard can get confusing.
Work Work, Working on the Railroad. The old MP rails
in New Iberia. The MP route does some very strange
gyrations going east.
Gassing up for the afternoon's game.
Ready, set......
Lined up at the pump.
Hauling carbon black.
Baby needs new shoes.
Ahhhhh Eeeeeeee!!
It's Al, don't ask.
Coming off the old Weeks Island route at Baldwin.
On the main UP/BNSF in New Iberia.
Backing through New Iberia.
Going to work.
Yes, it's a L&D engine, the first I ever shot. I had no idea
it was local. I figured it was just lost. ML originated in
Pennsylvania. A fella, after seeing my shot contacted me.
His father had been a life long employee of the railroad.
"The L&D bought red jumpsuits at one time.
They may rethink that decision.
Green works. Your next thought is that this guy isn't.
You should have seen the rest of his afternoon. He
deserved a moment's break.
It wasn't this intense, but close.
The tail engine headed to the Lafayette yard.
You do the caption.
The University St. underpass, Lafayette, La.
The ladies at tea in the Lafayette yard.
The fixum guys on the Breaux Bridge branch.
Picnic time?
A favorite. The Delcambe Canal drawbridge. Headed
to Abbeville on the old Iberia and Vermillion.
That's it. How did this get on History Hunts? Because the
railroad's presence has helped preserve old lines that
would be plowed under if not for it. I think the L&D is a
prosperous business. Hope she stays that way.