'Mardi Gras' rail service resumes this summer between New Orleans and Mobile; no timetable for Baton Rouge

Amtrak said Thursday it will restore service this summer between New Orleans and Mobile on a route called "Mardi Gras Service."

The twice-daily runs will connect two cities with long histories of Mardi Gras celebrations. The trains will also stop in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi and Pascagoula in Mississippi.

Separately, the Southern Rail Commission hopes to develop service between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. No timetable has been set for when it might resume. The last trains connecting the two cities rolled in 1969.

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EXCITING NEWS FROM AMTRAK

On April 24, 2024, Amtrak issued a press release naming the new Amtrak Mardi Gras Service. See Amtrak's press release here. 

Knox Ross, Chair of the Southern Rail Commission, issued the following statement: 

"It's incredibly exciting to announce the name for this new rail service that will have such a positive impact in our three states. This service will open up the Gulf Coast to a whole new tourism market, making already wonderful places even better by supporting local businesses, attracting more visitors, and strengthening the entire southern region's infrastructure and economy.

The Southern Rail Commission couldn't be prouder to see this service come to reality, and we can't wait to ride the train with y'all."

More information about the new service can be found here

SRC: Expect visible progress on I-20 Amtrak route in the next 2-3 years

Progress continues on the train route that will follow the I-20 corridor between Texas and Mississippi, giving people an alternate way to travel.

The Federal Railroad Administration has announced a grant to study a long-distance train ride impacting millions of people traveling between Dallas-Fort Worth and Meridian, Miss. along the I-20 corridor that passes right through the ArkLaTex. Planned stops include Shreveport, Ruston, and Monroe.

Area residents think it’s better to have different ways to travel.

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The Breakdown: Amtrak full steam ahead on three rail lines in Louisiana

In your Breakdown: We could be just months away from connecting New Orleans to Mobile by train.

Amtrak is chugging along on three total routes in Louisiana. Company representatives gave an update to the City Council Transportation Committee Tuesday.

They say that starting this summer, there will be morning and evening trains daily between New Orleans and Mobile, with stops along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and connections to other parts of the country.

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Purchase an Amtrak ticket in April? Rail chairman says it’s possible

After years of work and worry, Knox Ross, chairman of the Southern Rail Commission, is starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to Amtrak returning to the Gulf Coast..

"I don't really know how it will actually be when I'm standing in Mobile to get on the train to go to New Orleans for the inaugural," he tells NBC 15 News. "And when the first ticket is sold, I think that will be the most exciting thing, when the train goes live on the Amtrak system and the first ticket is sold. That will be a lot of fun to see that. And I expect that in April. I really do. I think sometime in April we'll have that."

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Rep. Hinson introduces bill that could lead to new rail system connecting Florida to Louisiana

A new state bill introduced by a Gainesville lawmaker would make Florida a part of the Southern Rail Commission.

Sponsored by State Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson, D-Gainesville, Hinson wrote that since September 2005, North Florida has lacked rail service due to the impacts from Hurricane Katrina, which damaged Amtrak's Sunset Limited route and previously connected New Orleans to Pensacola, Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Orlando. The route still connects New Orleans to Los Angeles.

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