Since Amtrak’s beginning in 1971, its routes have evolved—and unfortunately, in many cases, devolved. In its early days, Amtrak took over several regional passenger services, inheriting a sprawling rail network. Over the years, routes have been canceled, rerouted, shortened, or stripped of stops. Once covering far more of the U.S. map, Amtrak is now focused largely on coastal corridors and a few key cross-country lines.
Amtrak lays out arrival, departure times for planned train service in Mobile
In a filing with the city’s Board of Zoning Adjustment, Amtrak lays out new details of its planned passenger train service between the Port City and New Orleans, including the times.
The Board of Zoning Adjustment on May 6 will take up Amtrak’s request for a “special exception” to zoning regulations that would allow construction of a temporary train station on Water Street next to Cooper Riverside Park. In documents made public Monday, Amtrak indicated that it plans for trains to leave Mobile at 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., with trains returning 11:18 a.m. and 9:14 p.m.
‘Construction issues’ push back start of Amtrak service between Mobile and New Orleans
“Construction issues” have pushed back the projected start of the Amtrak Mardi Gras Service by a couple of weeks, the head of the Southern Rail Commission told FOX10 News on Wednesday.
Chairman Knox Ross said that means the route between Mobile and New Orleans likely will not go live until the end of July or beginning of August.
“We know the train’s gonna run,” he said. “It’s just a matter of getting to that point.”
Cohen Fights for Rail Planning Funding
Tennessee’s plans for passenger rail — and similar plans around the country — are likely on hold during the Trump Administration but a group of Congressional Democrats are trying to get them back on track.
The Biden-era Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), a $1.2 trillion bipartisan law, provided $1.5 billion in 2021 to encourage intercity passenger rail projects, through planning grants and more. However, the portion of the law funding these projects is set to expire next year.
New details on Amtrak Mardi Gras service from Mobile to New Orleans. How often will it run?
Amtrak is bringing a festive new route to the South just in time for summer, and Alabama is ready to roll.
The rail service announced plans for its New Mardi Gras Service, which will include departures along the Gulf Coast. While the full schedule hasn’t been released, excitement is already building, especially among state and local leaders who see the route as a win for tourism, business and community connection.
Amtrak to Provide Passenger Travel
Amtrak is about to make traveling by rail possible between Vicksburg and Meridian along the I-20 corridor, and along the Mississippi Gulf Coast I-10 corridor linking Mobile, AL., to New Orleans.
Beginning this summer, Amtrak’s new rail service will operate twice daily, morning and evening, with key stops in Mississippi in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula.
Platforms are ready along the coastal towns for the three-hour journey; construction on a train platform in Mobile, AL, should be ready by late June. The new site is close to the Mobile, Alabama Convention Center and Cooper Riverside Park.
Beginning this summer, Amtrak’s new Mardi Gras Service will link New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama
Amtrak will launch a new intercity train service, the Amtrak Mardi Gras Service, this summer, running twice daily between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama. It will also have four stops in Mississippi — Bay Saint Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula. Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross says it’s a long time coming.
Lawmakers push San Antonio-Austin high-speed rail
The constant traffic jams on I-35 are a problem that are holding back the Texas economy, state lawmakers were told on Monday. And the proposed solution could be a new law that supports high-speed rail between San Antonio and Dallas.
‘Mardi Gras‘ Follows ‘Second Battle of Mobile’
Easter is over, but Mardi Gras is coming to New Orleans, Mobile, and four towns between them on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This “Mardi Gras” will be an Amtrak train, and it will run twice a day in both directions, all year round!
Amtrak announced the name for its new Gulf Coast service on April 24. It’s a fitting name for the new trains, symbolizing the parties held during the winter Carnival season in New Orleans (the biggest festival), Mobile (since 1703) and Biloxi (since 1720), all places the trains will serve.