I’ll let the comment accompanying the photograph tell the story.

“The photograph captures a moment of immense power and industry on the Illinois Central Railroad in April of 1950. Southbound train No. 3, the Louisiane, is seen rumbling into Memphis, its journey meticulously timed on the railroad’s schedule. Leading the impressive consist is a massive 4-8-2 steam locomotive, number 2426, a workhorse of the era. What is truly staggering is the train’s makeup on this day; a formidable line of fifteen baggage, express, mail, and refrigerated cars speaks volumes about the vital role railroads played in moving not just people, but the nation’s commerce and communications. This head-end revenue was the financial lifeblood of passenger trains. Only after this long string of freight-on-the-wheel do the five heavyweight passenger coaches and sleepers appear, carrying those destined for New Orleans. The train’s passage past the Navy Yard Compress, a landmark for local cotton processing, perfectly situates the scene within the industrial heart of Memphis, capturing the essence of post-war American railroading in a single, powerful frame.”

Unfortunately the photographer isn’t identified.