Passenger rail service in the United States is woefully lacking compared to other countries, particularly long-distance service that connects far-reaching cities. Amtrak currently operates 15 long-distance routes, which range from 750 to 2,500 miles. But they stretch over just 39 states and the District of Columbia, and a map of those routes reveals that large swaths of the country don’t have any rail options.
New $21.1 million grant helps rail service between New Orleans and Mobile inch closer
Hoping to soon restore rail service along the Gulf Coast from New Orleans and Mobile after 20 years, the Federal Railroad Administration last week granted $21.1 million for Amtrak, U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, D-New Orleans said.
“This funding is not just restoring a rail line, it is reigniting economic opportunity, expanding access to transportation, and reconnecting families and businesses across the region,” Carter said. The money comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.
AL: Gulf Coast Amtrak project faces further delays, aims for summer launch
Amtrak’s return to the Gulf Coast is expected to come this summer, and not this spring or anywhere close to reaching a Mardi Gras time frame that officials had hoped for last fall.
If anything, Amtrak’s revival along the Gulf Coast could coincide with the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the devastating storm that knocked the service off line in 2005.
Another milestone: Major funding announced for Gulf Coast passenger rail
Earlier this week, the Federal Railroad Administration announced a significant investment of $21,117,115 in Restoration and Enhancement (R&E) grant funding to Amtrak. This funding will support the restoration of intercity passenger rail service with two daily roundtrips along the Gulf Coast, connecting New Orleans, LA, to Mobile, AL.
Amtrak Gulf Coast service to receive $21 million grant
The Federal Railroad Administration will award a $21.1 million grant for the return of Amtrak Gulf Coast service, U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) announced today (Jan. 6, 2025). The funding will support operating costs for the planned twice-daily round trips between New Orleans and Mobile, Ala.
Funds will come from the FRA’s Restoration and Enhancement Grant program.
“This is great news for Mississippi,” Wicker said in a press release. “Gulf Coast Rail is an investment in the future of our state. This grant will help with operational costs, ultimately reconnecting communities and ensuring that Mississippians have access to reliable transportation.”
The most exciting new trains coming in 2025
Amazing adventures, extraordinary landscapes and fabulous cuisine — the world’s greatest railway journeys are an unforgettable experience that can immerse you in the culture of a new country.
Demand for luxury “land cruise” trains with five-star hotel-style accommodation is booming. 2025 will see several new trains take to the rails for the first time, offering new opportunities to explore Italy, France, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.
But the best railway journeys don’t have to be the most expensive. There’s an ever-evolving world of train trips out there.
Part 2 of 4: Amtrak, NIL and 20 years since Katrina — the biggest South MS stories of 2025
Crowds of people and even brass bands greeted the Amtrak Sunset Limited when the Amtrak inspection train rolled across South Mississippi in 2016. At that time nobody knew passenger train service between New Orleans and Mobile — with stops in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi and Pascagoula on the Mississippi Gulf Coast would take another nine years to pull off.
Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis appointed to Southern Rail Commission
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry appointed Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis to the Southern Rail Commission.
The Southern Rail Commission works to progress public rail transportation in the Southeast. Ellis’ role as part of the commission includes strategizing economic growth, expanding travel options and creating more resilient infrastructure.
Landry said he believes Ellis‘ background will help him in his role on the commission.
“Mayor Friday Ellis has the background and leadership necessary to ensure success for the Southern Rail Commission,” Landry said. “I look forward to his great leadership in this position.”
Get Ready for New Orleans to Mobile Train
Amtrak is expected to start a train service twice a day, seven days a week between New Orleans and Mobile in Spring of 2025. With the start of this new passenger train route between these southern USA gulf coast cities, international tour and travel companies are seeing an opportunity to promote a two-city, automobile-free holiday in America.
Amtrak Gulf Coast case could chart a course for future intercity passenger rail
On Oct. 22, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Federal Railroad Administrator Amit Bose and Amtrak President Roger Harris joined government and business officials in Mobile, Alabama, for a ceremony to mark the start of construction on a boarding platform for Amtrak’s future Gulf Coast service between Mobile and New Orleans.
Exactly when the service will launch remains unclear as of press time. In an interview with Progressive Railroading in late October, Harris said Amtrak is anticipating all aspects of the project will be wrapped up in spring 2025 so that service can begin.