Heading Into Houston, TX on Sunset Limited #2 Part 1

This video was shot from the rear of Amtrak Train #2, the eastbound Sunset Limited, as it headed into Houston, TX on July 12th, 2013. Part 1 covers the trip from Houston's far southwest side at Ormandy to Memorial Park, a distance of about 13 miles. As a note, since this was shot from inside the car, during the video you can hear some talking by other passengers and myself. The video begins as the train rolls eastward on Main 1 of UP's Glidden Subdivision on the southwest side of Houston. We have just passed under the Sam Houston Tollway (The bridge is barely visible in the background) and US 90A is to the left. We then cross Fondren Road and pass the crossovers at Ormandy (CP SA916). In a short while we cross the Detector at MP 15.6, which reports that there are no defects, our train has 36 axles, we're traveling 31 mph, and the temperature is 93 degrees. We then jump to Heacker (CP SA014), where the Glidden Subdivision ends and the Terminal Subdivision begins (The Terminal Subdivision is now UP's Houston Subdivision). I used stills here because the video camera's battery died and I had to plug it in to begin charging, which didn't happen for another mile or so. We then jump ahead that mile or so to West Jct (CP SA012), where UP's Harrisburg Subdivision leaves the Terminal Subdivision, and the Terminal Subdivision makes a long northward curve. The video then resumes as we reach the end of this curve. Shortly thereafter, we pass North Jct, where the Spence Industrial Lead meets the Terminal Subdivision (It connects to the Harrisburg Sub). We then head under IH 610 and then cross over Brays Bayou. In a few miles our train calls Foreman Willis and then receives clearance to pass through his Form B, which is a location where men/equipment are working on the tracks. This is what the Amtrak engineer reads back in order to confirm the authority to pass through the Form B. "Form B #182169 on the Terminal Subdivision on today's date (July 12th, 2013). Line #1: From MP 370.15 to MP 369.1 from the hours of 0600 until 1430 hours on Main Track #1. Foreman Willis in charge of Gang 4351 advises that his men and machinery are in the clear, that we have permission to pass through his limits at maximum authorized speed without stopping at the red board located at MP 370.15." We then head through the crossovers at Bissonnet (CP LF372) and pass Bellaire Jct before ducking under US 59. Bellaire Jct is where the former SP Bellaire Line to Eagle Lake met the Terminal Subdivision. The Bellaire Subdivision was abandoned in 2001. Meanwhile, we pass the backside of Houston's Galleria and then go through Memorial Park, crossing over Buffalo Bayou and Memorial Drive in the process. The video comes to an end as we continue racing north, just before we slow down for the curve at Eureka Jct. Thanks for watching! Part 2:    • Heading Into Houston, TX on Sunset Limited...