PICK A TRAIN, ANY TRAIN - All Aboard: The Complete North American Train Travel Guide - page 291

The Sunset's Florida service came to an abrupt end in August
2005 when Hurricane Katrina slammed into New Orleans. Miles
of track were undermined or washed away entirely. Although the
track has long since been rebuilt, Amtrak has not yet restored the
Florida segment, and the train still terminates in New Orleans.
Just after leaving New Orleans, the westbound Sunset passes
the Superdome and crosses the Mississippi River on the Huey P.
Long Bridge. This bridge is four-and-a-half miles long and 280
feet above the river at its highest point, and it must be seen to
be believed. For the next several hours the train rolls through
bayou country. The ground is pretty soggy through most of these
wetlands; as a result, much of the track was built on pilings. As a
matter of fact, you'll notice that the cemeteries here are all above
ground, because the water table is so high.
You'll be in San Antonio very early the next morning, and
that's where the Texas Eagle consist will be added to this train.
You'll be in Del Rio just after breakfast, and about 45 minutes
after leaving there, you'll cross the Pecos River on a very high
Just as you're becoming accustomed to the flat, harsh west Texas landscape, the Sunset
Limited crosses a long bridge high above the Pecos River. Photo courtesy of the author