One last photograph of the Illinois Central depot in Hammond, Louisiana, this view is looking south. On November 20th of 1954 photographer Charles P. Harrington recorded this image of train #4, the Louisiane, as it was making its stop for passengers and express. Headed up by E8 locomotive #4031, the train has several cars in tow for handling the mail and express, as well as the baggage.

Note the water penstock at left, conveniently located to fill the tanks of north bound steamers while stopped at the depot. Several weeks ago we saw another penstock located near W. Robert Street for servicing the southbound locomotives. The southbound track (located at right) was removed many years ago when the I.C. was doing some belt-tightening. In later years Amtrak constructed a raised passenger platform over the former roadbed. This image shows how it looks today. The brick paving (that wider area) is still there today, as well as the concrete milepost #859 at far right, though it’s paint is very worn with the black lettering virtually gone now.

From the collection of David S. Price.