Amtrak has confirmed the launch of its new Gulf Coast service, which will offer twice-daily passenger trips between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, starting this summer. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

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Named the “Mardi Gras,” this new route marks the long-awaited restoration of passenger service on the Gulf Coast.

Amtrak Gulf Coast Service Connects New Orleans and Mobile

This new Amtrak service comes after years of efforts to restore the route disrupted by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Freight services resumed on the CSX line, but passenger trains, including the Sunset Limited, did not return until now.

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The introduction of this new service brings Amtrak back to the Gulf Coast after almost two decades.

Mardi Gras Train to Offer Scenic and Comfortable Travel

Amtrak President Roger Harris emphasized that the goal is to offer passengers a unique travel experience. “We aim to bring the festive Mardi Gras spirit to every trip, showcasing the Gulf Coast culture while connecting with the broader Amtrak network,” Harris explained.

The new Gulf Coast service will provide a scenic and comfortable alternative to driving, allowing travelers to rediscover the region with ease.

The Mardi Gras train will stop in key locations such as Bay Saint Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula in Mississippi. It will offer same-day connections to the City of New Orleans train, heading to Chicago via Memphis.

Additionally, passengers can connect in New Orleans to the Crescent route to New York or the Sunset Limited to Los Angeles.

Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson shared excitement about the new service, noting the strong cultural connection between New Orleans and Mobile. “This service will strengthen our ties to New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” said Stimpson.

He also highlighted how the new Amtrak Gulf Coast service would bring more visitors to Mobile, further enhancing the city’s downtown waterfront.

Source: railfan.com

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