| This Southern Pacific publicity photo from the early 1950's showed train No. 5 – the westbound ARGONAUT – heading across the Huey P. Long Bridge, near the beginning of its 2,000-mile journey to Los Angeles. The ARGONAUT was inaugurated on 24 June 1926 as the secondary train on the Sunset Route, running opposite the SUNSET LIMITED; but it was discontinued during the height of the Great Depression, from April 1932 until May 1936. When this photo was taken, No. 5 left New Orleans at 10:30 A.M. On 7 June 1957 the train was discontinued west of El Paso, then its last remaining sleeper was removed in October 1958 and it became an unnamed New Orleans-Houston local. The last remnant of the ARGONAUT was discontinued in 1963. (unknown date of photo) |