"Tired" would probably be best way to describe SCL's fleet of E units in October, 1970. For the most part, SCL had a decent passenger service, right up until Amtrak and had purchased used locomotives and passenger cars to supplement its fleet. That said, the E units were getting in pretty rough shape by this time.
We are at Broad Street Station in Richmond, VA and well worn SCL E8A No. 575 is about to leave for its northbound run over the RF&P to Washington on Train No. 86, the "Everglades." The SCL E units in the background have just been added to southbound SCL Train No. 21, the "Silver Star" to Florida. No. 86 had a 4:15 PM departure and No. 21 was scheduled out at 4:30 PM. At this time power was pooled on No. 86, but not No. 21.
As information, Broad Street Station was set up on a wye/loop configuration and designed so all trains passed through the station in the same direction.
