Catch A Falling Flag

The Gentilly yard is flat-switched, and CSX generally uses a rotation of SW1500's and MP15's (with the occasional MP15T thrown in) to "kick" cars at the South and North ends of the yard. Most of the switching at the North end is deep in the yard (perhaps a quarter mile), but at the South end (the Jourdan Road crossing) the switch crew pulls out long strings of cars all the way across Jourdan road, allowing one to easily shoot whatever is being switched.

Many people are only interested in photographing engines, and there are plenty at Gentilly to shoot, but most are out of reach, deep in the heart of the yard at the inaccessible fueling racks. Motive power has included the usual gaggle of Union Pacific SD40-2 units, but lately the "Winged" SD70's are making their presence here known in great quantities. The UP SD40-2's often were of interest because they were often the ex-MP non-dynamic brake units, giving a bit of a change of pace in the faceless parade of SD40-2 units. UP often dispatched C30-7 and C36-7 "Humpbacks" across the Mississippi to Gentilly as well, and the Dash 8 and Dash 9 GE fleet is also making daily appearances. When the SP was still independent, its four-axle GE fleet was their most common power smaller power, but their larger units most commonly were the ragged-out SD40/45 Tunnel motors in variously degraded paint schemes, as well as large numbers of the de-rated former SD45's. My understanding of the reason for the large numbers of the B30-7 fleet here was that their pollution and noise was too great to meet the California standards, so they were stuck working East of Houston and North toward Chicago on the Cotton Rock. I don't know if that is true, but I was able to shoot nearly the entire SP B30-7 fleet here in New Orleans. CSX has largely standardized their fleet on GE six-axle power now, but the odd GP40-2 or GP38-2 will grace Gentilly with its presence, and SD40-2's still arrive in clusters, but C40-8, C44-9's and the huge newer CW6000's are the mainstay of heavier trains. The CSX fleet of B36-7's (mostly former Seaboard System units) are also mixed in and often bring in "tote" trains in solid sets of 3 or 4.

Very few non-"bright future" CSX paint schemes arrive at Gentilly any more. KCS sends over units in interchange service, and the oddball NS unit will appear on occasion, usually in company of UP units. Lease units are also commonplace, as has been the trickle of CR power in the post-merger period. Lots of different and colorful motive power to see and photograph here!

Gentilly is a feast for the rolling stock lover. I love both motive power and rolling stock, but Gentilly offers the rarity of a large yard that offers access to a large number of cars on a daily basis, so I have been able to shoot thousands of cars. The area is not scenic, so unless you have a great appetite for "roster shots", the Gentilly Yard is not for you.

How to Get There

CSX GENTILLY YARD--ORIENTED E/NE TO W/SW ALONG ALMONSTER, STRETCHING FROM ELAINE TO JOURDAN ROAD. THE SOUTH END OF THE YARD IS IMMEDIATELY BELOW THE

I-10 "HIGH RISE" BRIDGE. IT CAN BE ACCESSED FROM I-10 EASTBOUND BY TAKING THE ALMONASTER EXIT, FOLLOWING THE LEFT-HAND FORK ON THE FLYOVER, CROSSING FRANCE ROAD AND THE L&N LIFT BRIDGE. THE YARD THEN WILL BE ON YOUR LEFT. IT CAN BE ACCESSED WESTBOUND FROM I-10 BY TAKING THE LOUISA STREET EXIT OFF THE HIGH RISE, TURNING LEFT AT THE FOOT OF THE RAMP, TURNING LEFT ONTO LOUISA STREET (SOUTHBOUND), THEN TURNING LEFT AGAIN ONTO ALMONASTER AVENUE AFTER CROSSING THE DOUBLE RR TRACKS.

*****DUE TO ITS ROUGHLY EAST-WEST ALIGNMENT, CSX GENTILLY YARD IS BEST SHOT MID-OCTOBER UNTIL THE FIRST WEEK OR SO OF MARCH. SUMMER SHOTS CAN BE MADE, BUT THE SUN WILL BLACK OUT ALL UNDERBODY AND TRUCK DETAIL.

Send questions, comments, or the location of your favorite railfaning spot, to Patrick Harris