Amtrak announced on June 30 that its Mardi Gras service between New Orleans, Louisiana. and Mobile, Alabama, with stops in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula, Mississippi will resume on August 18. The twice-daily service will provide employment opportunities initially for seven BLET engineers.
Passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast has been on hiatus since 2005 when Hurricane Katrina caused major damage to tracks and infrastructure along the route. While freight service was restored in short order, it took years of negotiations between Amtrak and host railroads CSX and Norfolk Southern to get passenger service back on track. “I only wish others would take notice of the need for rail service funding,” said BLET Amtrak General Chairman Pat Darcy. “The Mardi Gras service has been long overdue and it is a breath of fresh air to see it finally coming to fruition for the public who have been patiently waiting for years.”
“I wish to thank Division 18’s Local Chairman, Brad Lacy, for his dedication through the past couple of years to make sure this service will operate without any foreseen issues,” said Darcy. “There have been numerous hurdles which had to be overcome to make sure qualifications were maintained or achieved and Brother Lacy has been on the ground from day one.”
Amtrak said it is operating this state-sponsored service under contracts with Louisiana and Mississippi, along with financial support by the City of Mobile, and the backing of the Southern Rail Commission. Including this new service, Amtrak will operate 31 state-sponsored routes for 23 state and agency partners in 20 states.
Amtrak said it plans to celebrate the start of service with an Inaugural Train to operate on August 16, inviting public officials and others to thank them for working to bring Amtrak service back to the region.