USA: Amtrak’s twice-daily Mardi Gras Service between Mobile and New Orleans launched on August 18, after an inaugural train ran two days before.
The service is designed to offer convenient morning and evening departures from each end, calling at Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport and Bay Saint Louis. There are Coach and Business class seats and a café featuring locally-sourced items.
There are same-day connections to the City of New Orleans service between New Orleans and Chicago, and next-day connections to the Crescent to New York and Sunset Limited to Los Angeles.
‘After nearly two decades, passenger rail is returning to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, opening the door for visitors from neighbouring states and around the world to discover our region in an entirely new way’, said Judy Young, CEO of Coastal Mississippi Tourism.
‘The Mardi Gras Service creates a seamless connection for international travellers arriving in New Orleans or Mobile to explore the beauty, charm and hospitality of our coast by rail. This long-awaited milestone is not only a win for our residents and returning guests, but also a transformative step for our tourism industry and the future of our region.’
Route revival
The route was previously served by the Sunset Limited from Los Angeles to Orlando, but this was cut back to New Orleans after CSX infrastructure was damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Reinstating trains through to Florida was studied, but a lack of agreement saw the plans scaled back to a 235 km New Orleans – Mobile service.
Amtrak is operating the inter-city service under contracts with the states of Louisiana and Mississippi, with financial support from the City of Mobile and the backing of the Southern Rail Commission which promotes rail in the southeastern USA. The US Department of Transportation has provided grants for operating expenses and improvements that also benefit freight trains.
‘This long-awaited rail line will increase tourism, boost interstate commerce and further develop the potential of our coastal economy’, said US Senator Roger F Wicker.
