We stop at the station in Tallahassee, Florida for a 10-minute smoke break. The station is actually a couple of blocks from Florida State University. Approaching the station, the lights of Doak Campbell Stadium – where the Seminoles play football – are visible. When we leave Tallahassee, we are now 3:31 behind schedule.

Through most of the Florida Panhandle, I have limited Internet access and a spotty data connection on my cell phone. The GPS receiver also cannot pick up a signal at times. There’s nothing much to report, however. Outside Douglas City, Florida, the engineer asks for permission to handle a switch. We stop for a minute before the switch is cleared.

Updated consist of Sunset Limited 2 from New Orleans to Orlando (minus the two cars dropped in San Antonio, a second engine was obviously not need. Engine 2 was dropped in New Orleans):
1). Engine 840
2). Transition Sleeper 39017 (Car 0210) – half passengers, half crew
3). Sleeper 0230, Mississippi, (Car 0230) – I am in Room 5
4). Dining Car 38062
5). Sightseer Lounge Car 33038
6). Coach 34107 (Car 0213)
7). Baggage Coach 31005 (Car 0212)

Last night, before going to bed, the train made several stops in the train yard north of New Orleans and was going very slow the rest of the time. The radio chatter indicated we were stuck behind a freight train.

This morning, I woke up just as we were stopping at the station in Pensacola, Florida. The stop in Pensacola took more than hour due to a crew change and some kind of miscommunication that extended the crew change. Also, while attempting to leave the station, the new crew had to wait on the radio dispatcher for more than 10 minutes to verify the orders and release the train. Luckily, the station in Pensacola is next to the Gulf of Mexico and the stop is at least picturesque. When the train finally leaves Pensacola, we are 3:30 behind schedule.

The New Orleans Jambalaya Run is a success! Our train pulls into New Orleans, Louisiana around 8:50 p.m. CT. According to the announcement, the recommended time to return to the train is around 10 p.m. and the train will leave at 10:30 exactly. I immediately high-tail it to the cab stand and have the driver take me to Mother’s, a classic cafeteria-style restaurant with the best Cajun food money can buy. I can’t decide between a large Jambalaya and a full Shrimp Po’ Boy, so I order both. The price for the cab driver – a large man who knows the exact location of Mother’s – to wait for me while I go through the line is $20 and an order of bread pudding. It is money well spent. Despite a 20-minute wait for my food, the driver is still outside. And I doubt it is because of the money. After a quick stop at the local mini mart for some beer, I make it back to the station at 9:45 p.m., well within the time limit. That’s it until tomorrow. It’s time to eat, drink and sleep.