Amtrak's Palmetto, which holds the distinction of being the first train I ever rode on my own as a youngster, back in 1976, is seen here 32 years later passing by my window at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel. Here's a view of a freight taken from the same room - here. The train is only a few minutes back into its journey after its Washington Union Station stop. Running from New York to Savannah, it has nearly 12 hours left in its trek south.