Here’s The Name and Schedules For Louisiana’s Gulf Coast Rail Service

For the past three or four summers the folks at Amtrak, the people who provide passenger rail service across the country, have been teasing us with information about a restoration of service between New Orleans Louisiana and Mobile, Alabama. That service was disrupted back in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina did a number on the railroad tracks between those two Gulf Coast cities.

Since 2005, passenger rail service has been restored and is running well. But the trains that carry people? They haven't been running at all. If you wanted to take Amtrak service from Jacksonville, Florida to Los Angeles, California or vice versa, you'd have to get off the train in Mobile or New Orleans respectively, and be ferried via bus to the either New Orleans or Mobile respectively so you can reboard the train and continue your journey.

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Ever since that rail service was terminated because of Katrina, there has been a push to bring it back. It looks as though that "push" will finally cross the finish line this summer when trains begin regular service. As of this publication, Amtrak has still not posted fares and schedules for the route. 

What we believe will be offered is trains running twice a day, in the morning and evening, in each direction. The trains will make stops in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula. Each of those Mississippi communities has spruced up its stations and is reportedly looking forward to welcoming even more guests for beach and casino vacations.

What Is The Name of the New Gulf Coast Amtrak Service?

Amtrak made it official on Thursday saying the new service will be called Amtrak Mardi Gras Service. What a very fitting name. Both Mobile and New Orleans have strong ties to the Mardi Gras holiday and season. And from what we understand these Amtrak trains will carry a little "Mardi Gras Mojo" on board so passengers can get a feel of living life South of I-10.

The new service will also mean that New Orleans,  a long-time hub of Amtrak service, can become an even larger player in the train line's plans. Guests could use this Mardi Gras Service to connect to The City of New Orleans, The Crescent, and The Sunset Limited, or any other Amtrak service that can be linked to New Orleans. I will tell you, my experience on Amtrak is "don't expect much service in the customer service".

But for a short jaunt from NOLA to Mobile, you won't be on the train long enough to realize the staff doesn't want to be there. I hope Amtrak will fix this before the trains start rolling on a regular basis across the Gulf Coast, it's a great opportunity to start over for Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Amtrak. Let's hope we get it right.