I thought I'd document both of Amtrak's Texas Eagles at Little Rock one night and I did so the night of October 20/ early morning of Oct 21, 2011. I call it "Those Midnight Trains in Arkansas." Amtrak 22, the northbound Eagle, arrived at 12:29 a.m. and No. 21, the southbound, arrived 34 minutes early at 2:31 a.m. A good crowd was on hand to board  both trains, especially No. 22 with 36 boarding here (there have been nights when more than 100 get on here). Total on board the train after the train left Little Rock was 148 (119 coach, 29 sleeper). Many more were supposed to get on in St Louis before the train reached Chicago.
   Amtrak 21, the southbound Eagle, had 97 on board as the train left Little Rock (88 coach and 9 sleeper-normally there are about 30 on this sleeper as well). Again, many more would get on the train before reaching its final destination in San Antonio, Texas. I put the consist of each train below the photos.


You can see people in the waiting room of Union Station at 11:45 p.m. Oct 21.


While waiting on No. 22, I got this stopped UP freight headed by UP 3968 at 11:51 a.m.


No. 22 at the station at 12:31 a.m. Oct 21. To see a movie of this train arriving, click on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkz-dmFBvhY

This movie was shot in 720i HD, but you have to select that as you view the movie. Youtube defaults to 360i playback.


A good crowd of around 40 were lined up to board.


Remember that it's 12:30 in the morning and people still wait to ride Amtrak. I often wonder how many would board here if the trains came through in the daytime.


From a different angle.




Taken from atop the spiral staircase on Union Station.


Status board inside the waiting room.


Amtrak 21 at the station at 2:32 a.m. heading to Texas. To view a movie of Texas Eagle No. 21 arriving, click on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-Xq5reTGQk


Boarding passengers.


Remember again that it's before 3 a.m. It's amazing to me that people get up at this hour to do anything at all, but they'll do so to take the train.


Taken from atop the staircase.


The station is an active place during the midnight hours.


Waiting for time to leave at 2:41 a.m. No.21 isn't scheduled to leave until 3:08 a.m. Note the quarter Moon over the station's clock. Behind me here are high shrubs and trees and total darkness.


Happy conductor.


Texas Eagle timetable.


My cat Tigger next to my computer table after I got home about 4 a.m.

CONSIST OF AMTRAK 22:
1) AMTK locomotive 75
2) Crew Dorm/Sleeper 39037
3) Diner/Lounge 37004
4) Sightseer Lounge 33008
5) Baggage/Coach 31019
6) Coach 34000
7) Coach 34085
8) Sleeper 32031

CONSIST OF AMTRAK 21:
1) AMTK locomotive 170
2) Crew Dorm/Sleeper 39045
3) Diner/Lounge 37016
4) Sightseer Lounge 33011
5) Baggage Coach 31030
6) Coach 34098
7) Coach 34092 (will be put on Sunset Limited Amtrak Train No. 1 at San Antonio)
8) Sleeper 32012 (will be put on Sunset Limited Amtrak Train No. 1 at San Antonio)

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