Amtrak Resumes Train Service Between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama After a 20-Year Hiatus

Train travel in the South is set to gain new momentum next year as Amtrak plans to restore a route along the Gulf Coast through Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana, after nearly two decades.

Amtrak recently received approval to resume service between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans, a line that was last operated in 2005. The route, part of Amtrak’s Sunset Limited line, was suspended indefinitely after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast that year. Since then, there has been ongoing debate among lawmakers and rail officials about restarting the service.

Earlier this month, the passenger rail service secured final approval to relaunch. On August 6, the Mobile City Council agreed to a funding plan, allocating $3 million from the city’s port authority and council to revive the route. This contribution adds to a $178.4 million federal grant from the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program, along with funds from Louisiana and Mississippi.

With funding now secured, the project is moving forward. ‘This train will soon be back on track, bringing great returns on investment and significant benefits by connecting people to jobs, education, and boosting local economies and tourism in coastal cities,’ said Knox Ross, chair of the Southern Rail Commission. Once operational, passengers can expect scenic views of the Gulf and estuaries like Lake Pontchartrain, with stops in four Mississippi cities—Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport, and Bay St. Louis—on the way between Mobile and New Orleans. The service will run twice daily.

Though an exact start date is yet to be determined, officials aim to have the line running by February 2025, just in time for Super Bowl LIX on February 9 in New Orleans and the city’s Mardi Gras celebrations. Smaller towns along the route, like Pascagoula, are anticipating a tourism boost. ‘We expect an increase in visitors thanks to this scenic and convenient rail connection,’ said Susannah Northrop, executive director of Main Street Pascagoula. ‘This is a game-changer for our city and the Gulf Coast, and we’re eager to showcase our attractions and Southern hospitality to new travelers.

With a population of just over 21,000, Pascagoula combines Southern charm with coastal beauty. The train station is within walking distance of the downtown area, offering local shops, hotels, restaurants, and views of the Pascagoula River. ‘We’re excited to welcome train travelers, whether for a day trip or an extended stay,’ Northrop added.

The project is still in its early stages, with several construction challenges to overcome before the train service can resume. According to an Amtrak spokesperson, additional track needs to be built in Mobile to allow the train to park overnight without disrupting freight operations, and utilities will need to be relocated to make way for the new track. Amtrak is optimistic that construction will begin by late October, aiming for a relaunch in the first or second quarter of 2025.

Key details, such as the train line’s official name and fare prices, are yet to be finalized, with Amtrak expecting to make those announcements in the coming months.

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