Page 18 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2023

COAST NOTE
story by
Cherie Ward
photo by
Ken Murphy
Quick scenic train getaways or independent rail jour- neys are what legendary tales consist of, and one of the reasons Amtrak is shooting to restore passenger train ser- vice between New Orleans, the Gulf Coast, and Mobile by the end of the year.
“We are looking forward to successes and ribbon cuttings,” said Nicole Bucich, Amtrak vice president of network development.
The route will have two trains going in opposite direc- tions, beginning in New Orleans or Mobile, and return- ing the same day with stops at Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula.
Southern Rail Commissioner Knox Ross said the schedule will be robust, and Amtrak is finalizing several necessities before the new service can begin.
“Conductors and engineers are getting themselves famil- iar with the route and learning all the different intricacies of running a passenger train on that route,” Ross said.
Judy Young, CEO of Coastal Mississippi, said South Mississippi businesses and locals are excited about this new opportunity and believe it will open the door for day trips across the coastal region without the need for a vehicle.
“It enables a different type of traveler to access very diverse attractions, specifically along the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” Young said. “I see this as really an opportunity for there to be a regional cooperative between Mobile, New Orleans, and the Coastal Mississippi destinations. It helps to market it to a larger audience.”
Bucich added that many simultaneous tasks are happen- ing, including determining what food should be served on the trains. Amtrak is working with the states and taking suggestions to make authentic food services that represent Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
The idea is for passengers to experience the Gulf Coast when they get on the train, Bucich said.
Passenger train services along the Coast have been unavailable since Hurricane Katrina disrupted the route in 2005 and now discussions are also underway to have passenger train routes connecting Mississippi and Louisi- ana along the I-20 corridor.
So before long, Amtrak will provide unforgettable, can’t-miss experiences with cross-state adventures or local routes on South Mississippi railroads.
18 | August 2023
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