193 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

KMDL Radio, Lafayette, LA, 8/25/23:
 

  Amtrak Service From Louisiana to Gulf Coast Beaches – Updated

Passenger rail service between Louisiana and the Gulf Coast Beaches of Alabama and Florida has been in limbo since 2005. That was the year that Hurricane Katrina did some "significant renovations" along the stretch of coastline and the rail lines that serve Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Story

[KevinKorell]

WALA-TV, Fox-10 in Mobile, AL,  8/28/23:

 

 

  Planned Gulf Coast train to be named after Mardi Gras, tourism official says    

 

 

The working name of the long-awaited Amtrak train planned for the Gulf Coast is Mardi Gras Service, Visit Mobile President and CEO David Clark confirmed Monday.

 

Story

[KevinKorell]

Bama Buzz,  8/28/23:

 

 

 

  Mardi Gras Express expects new start date     

 

 

 

After delays and disagreements, the Mardi Gras Express is finally rolling in soon. 

 

Story here.    I'm not totally delighted with the name, as I thought it would take the former name of Gulf Coast Limited.   Mardi Gras, while certainly important to New Orleans and other locations, is an annual event.   The name might better apply to specials/extras that could run during that period.

 

And while we have a new un-firm start date of January 2024, keep in mind how many times the target has slipped, and that there still is no Mobile station nor layover location.

[KevinKorell]

Slip-sliding away once more.....

 

WPMI-TV, NBC-15 in Mobile, AL,  9/8/23:

 

 

      Start date for passenger rail service in Mobile pushed back  

 

 

Passenger rail service will not begin this year along the Gulf Coast as Amtrak had once hoped. The Southern Rail Commission met Friday morning and provided an update on the much anticipated route from Mobile to New Orleans. Service now is expected to start next year, but there are critical steps that have to happen first.

 

Details

[KevinKorell]

WALA-TV, Fox-10 in Mobile, AL, 9/8/23:

 

 

     Amtrak service likely will not return to Mobile until well into 2024, officials say  

 

 

At one time, Amtrak hoped to begin service along the Gulf Coast by the end of this year. Now, it appears that will not happen until well into 2024.

 

More

[KevinKorell]

WPMI-TV, NBC-15 in Mobile, AL, 9/23/23:

 

 

    Amtrak passenger service to the Gulf Coast makes a major push forward    

 

 

There was a time when taking the train in Mobile was an exciting adventure.

 

Entire story

[KevinKorell]

Trains magazine,  9/26/23:

 

 

   Mobile stop remains an obstacle to resumption of Gulf Coast service    

 

 

Agreements regarding a lease for a station stop in Mobile, as well as an operating agreement that will include costs the city will cover, are significant details that must be addressed before Amtrak can launch Gulf Coast passenger service between New Orleans and the Alabama city, the news site AL.com reports.

 

Read

[KevinKorell]

WALA-TV, Fox-10 in Mobile, AL, 11/3/23:

 

 

 Mobile negotiates ground lease for Amtrak train stop    

 

 

After months of negotiations, city officials have negotiated a ground lease agreement with Amtrak, paving the way for a return of passenger train service along the Gulf Coast.

 

Update

[KevinKorell]

AL.com   12/20/23:

 

 

    ‘We’re not colonizing Mars’: Why Amtrak service has not started between Mobile and New Orleans    

 

Any idea when Amtrak services between Mobile and New Orleans will start?

 

 

It’s a question asked often along the Gulf Coast, and beyond. The answer is complicated, with no definitive start date to provide.

 

Further update

[KevinKorell]

WALA-TV, Fox-10 in Mobile, AL, 12/21/23:

 

 

    Talks to bring Amtrak to Mobile still proceeding    

 

Is Amtrak on track to Mobile? Talks are still underway.

 

Mayor Sandy Stimpson’s administration has had discussions regarding ongoing logistics. City spokesperson Candace Cooksey told FOX10 that Amtrak would pay a “nominal” amount for use of part of the parking lot next to the convention center. CSX Corporation would build a layover track there.

 

... and proceeding, and proceeding, and proceeding....  The latest here.