Comments on: Amtrak Confirms VIP Train Will Roll As Officials Study Rail Service Return To Gulf Coast

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 14:04:46 +0000

I’ve been to several countries in Europe and Austrailia and instead of renting a car, we always take the train to tour the country with a rail pass. It really makes me sad that in a country like the USA we don’t offer a similar experience. I’ve used what limited service Amtrak offers when planning conference trips with my church ladies group. Its way cheaper than renting a bus. And if we could get service to Pensacola, where a yearly conference is held, and our youth groups go to camp, you can bet we’d be on it, especially if it’s not connected to the train that goes to California (I wish they’d add a train to this service, since it makes it impossible to book a two day trip without daily runs) And if we could use it to connect with the train in Jacksonville to go to Disney World, so much the better.
With enough promotion, I do believe train service could make a comeback. My family and church would surely make use of it. Now if they could connect North and South Louisiana….

By: Richard

Richard — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 15:36:07 +0000

The old service here had such irregular stops it was impossible to travel by train for anything but the occasional pleasure trip. For a train to be successful, it needs to have practical daily stops. Here’s hoping the schedule isn’t a silly one.

By: M in Bratt

M in Bratt — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 14:22:42 +0000

@Russell and the rest of the Amtrak fans. I am all for Amtrak providing efficient, cost effective service. What I am not for is the unending government subsidies of an Amtrak that insists on running nearly empty trains (sometimes with more staff than riders) on unprofitable routes. So you are right, I don’t want to subsidize your train ride. All you train buffs that obviously didn’t ride it when it ran before, go to Dollywood, or Disney World, they both have trains running that pay for themselves.

By: Al

Al — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 17:48:43 +0000

I would love train service between Pensacola if it was quick and reasonably priced, the savings on parking alone would be worth it.

However, I remember when Pensacola had train service to NOLA, the service failed for a reason. Nobody used the service; The hours it ran were terrible, it was very expensive compared to driving, and the duration of tje ride was extreemly long (I want to say 7hrs)… One could literally drive to NOLA, eat lunch, and drive home before the train reached NOLA.

I’d love to see a high speed line… But, I believe this proposal will fail, it’s just not profitable and we should use tax dollars to prop it up. I wish we had a train system like Europe and Japan, but it just isn’t feasable in this area.

By: Ellen P

Ellen P — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 15:31:57 +0000

I have been a fan of Amtrak for years. We ride Amtrak at least twice a year. We have just returned from riding The City Of New Orleans to Chicago and connected with the Empire Builder to Seattle, Washington, and did it in reverse. Love It !!!!! We have rode the The Cresent to Washington DC and to New Orleans where we connected with the Sunset Limited to San Antonio, once again love it !!!!! We are keeping our fingers crossed that this train service will return to the Ms Gulf Coast and points beyond. I recommend to all people if they love to take the back roads and seen the country TAKE AMTRAK. We do not want passenger rail to fall to the wayside, we need to keep it going for future generations.

By: Wharf Rat

Wharf Rat — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 00:16:54 +0000

It sure would be nice if AMTRAK could arrange for some the “unofficial” railfans in this area to buy a ride on the empty train from Atmore to Pensacola. Not talking about a free ride, we don’t mind paying. We can worry about the logistics of getting our vehicles to Atmore and back.

Some of us may never live to see the train run again.

But, I do love to see an old time steam train in action.

By: Russell

Russell — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 17:27:21 +0000

Don’ t fret the train “M” it won’t be stopping by your house to make you ride it. The rest of us may want to take a trip…

By: Dianne Landingham

Dianne Landingham — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 16:34:34 +0000

There are so many seniors in the Panhandle; how wonderful it would be if there was transportation for them. We want to travel, but don’t always want to go by car, too close for a plane, but ideal for a train.

By: M in Bratt

M in Bratt — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 13:42:55 +0000

Atmore can save a lot of money if they just tear that rickety, rotten platform down. I think somebody could find some temporary stairs to get the “officials” off the train.or better yet, let the train stop at one of the crossings they will be blocking and open the door. If Al. passed a law like Fl. is considering, the bar would be open for them when they get off the train, but where in that closet sized station are they going to put the bar? Have any of you that are supporters of Amtrak been in a Intercity train or bus station in the last few years? The majority of train and bus passengers are not tourists looking for a place to spend their money, they are comprised of a mostly non-english speaking people that probably couldn’t fly if they wanted too because of lack of ID or a credit card. This is a case of “be careful, you may get what you ask for”.

By: Margaret Jones

Margaret Jones — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 13:20:09 +0000

I WANT TO RIDE IT!!!! How can I get on without being a “top tier ” money holder?? All good news. Aloha!