Latest Headlines
- Burger, Fries And Meth: Molino Man Charged With Drug Trafficking
- Rain, Rain, Won’t Go Away
- One Person Injured In Cantonment Fire
- Cantonment Man Charged With Stealing $104K While Working As Brinks Driver
- Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
- Beulah Christmas Parade Rescheduled, Century Tree Lighting Ceremony Canceled Due To Weather
- Escambia Man Sentenced To 15 Years On Federal Drug Charges
- Century Backtracks On Community Center Rental Rate Hike
- Escambia Public Schools Hiring Additional Campus Security Officers
- ‘Don’t Try Nothin Stupid’: Report Details Failed Bank Robbery Attempt, Desperate Plea By Woman, 63
New Gulf Coast Amtrak Service Launches Monday, But Not To Pensacola Or Atmore
August 17, 2025
A new twice-daily Gulf Coast Amtrak services launches Monday between Mobile and New Orleans with stops along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The new state-sponsored Amtrak Mardi Gras Service will offer convenient morning and evening departures from both cities.
“We encourage customers to get their tickets now to experience this new, comfortable, and scenic service, and have the first opportunity to travel by train on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in nearly 20 years,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris. “Guests can plan travel for football trips this fall, for November and December holiday travel – and even Mardi Gras Season next year.”
Adult coach fares end-to-end start at $15 each way, less for shorter distances. There are everyday discounts for children ages 2-12, students, seniors, veterans, military personnel and families, small groups, large groups, and others.
The new services do not extend to Atmore, Alabama’s official “Rail Welcome Center” for the state, or into Pensacola. The Port of Mobile’s concerns about increased train traffic, specifically related to Amtrak, led to an amendment in the Mobile City Council’s agreement with Amtrak that effectively blocks any expansion of the service beyond a Mobile-to-New Orleans route.
In January 2025, Escambia County (FL) Commissioners joined about 60 Florida commissioners in supporting expanded Amtrak passenger rail service from Mobile to Jacksonville, and the Florida expansion had the support of the Florida Association of Counties.
In early 2016, an Amtrak expansion train loaded with dignitaries traveled the route all the way through Atmore and Pensacola as early discussion for the service began.
Amtrak Mardi Gras Route
“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Amtrak back to Mobile, and with tickets now officially on sale, this long-awaited service feels closer than ever,” said Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, who spoke at a Government Plaza news conference today where the start date, schedule and fares were first announced. “Mobilians have looked forward to the return of passenger rail for years, and the Amtrak Mardi Gras Service promises to deliver not just convenience, but connection.
(article continues below schedule)
Amtrak Mardi Gras Service guests have same-day connections in both directions daily to the renowned Amtrak City of New Orleans trains between New Orleans and Chicago via Jackson, Miss., and Memphis, and next-day connections in New Orleans to famous Amtrak Crescent trains to and from New York via Atlanta, and legendary Amtrak Sunset Limited trains to and from Los Angeles via Tucson, San Antonio and Houston.
“The Southern Rail Commission is incredibly proud and excited that the Amtrak Mardi Gras Service is starting so soon after decades of work by all our partners who have played indispensable roles in today’s announcement,” said Southern Rail Commission (SRC) Chairman Knox Ross. “We know this service will have tremendous impact in boosting our local economies, connecting people with jobs and education opportunities, and bolstering our vibrant tourism industry in the coastal cities along the route and we encourage everyone to start buying tickets for your upcoming travel.”
Pictured top and below: An inaugural run of Amtrak’s Mardi Gras Service pulls into Mobile on Saturday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com. Pictured inset above: The Atmore Train Station, NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Comments
6 Responses to “New Gulf Coast Amtrak Service Launches Monday, But Not To Pensacola Or Atmore”
The argument from the Port of Mobile against extending service to the east is basically the same weak argument they used to block having ANY Amtrak service through or to Mobile.
I think it was 1997 i took Amtrack from Atmore to jacksonville, FL. Left Atmore really early and as the train was going by Senic Highway it had just became daylight….. Around the time zone area the wisteria was blooming against the evergreen trees and was oh so pretty. Made it to Jacksonville safely. What an experience. Hopefully soon I can do a round trip to New Orleans.
This is great . Hopefully it last . Great connections to go west and north . Too bad there is no parking , no station just a ramp in an area not too safe in Mobile . Our Pensacola empty station has better safety (location) parking restaurants etc.
Amtrak in theory is good but long distance rail service is too expensive to stand on its on. So the tax payers have to help pay for the service and it has cost the citizens billions of dollars. The cost outweighs the benefits and as long as the rail companies have the government tit we will pay.
Mobile’s lackluster politicians shouldn’t be allowed to “drive the train” and decide Amtrak routes.
This is great, but it won’t be successful long term without an extension to Pensacola and eventually to Jacksonville.
The cross-country traffic to the West Coast needs to have that direct connection to the Florida peninsula. I think by 2030, that extension will happen regardless of what the lease agreement in Mobile says.