Y’all aboard! Amtrak sends off first train from Mobile to New Orleans in 20 years

Today marks the official start of the Mardi Gras Service on Amtrak, traveling between Mobile and New Orleans with stops in Mississippi along the way.

It’s been a long time coming — more than 20 years ago, Mobile had Amtrak service, but Hurricane Katrina in 2005 caused extensive damage to rail lines.

The railroad company had an inaugural train Saturday, which drew crowds across all three states of the line. One of the passengers was Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson and his wife.

“On Saturday, Jean and I traveled from New Orleans to Mobile on Amtrak’s Mardi Gras Service. The crew did a fantastic job, and I cannot wait for residents of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana to enjoy the same experience.”

Tickets can be purchased now for the twice-daily Amtrak intercity train service, offering both daily morning and evening departures from both cities.

Starting at just $15 each way — less for shorter distances — this service is a great opportunity to have a weekend getaway with friends and family.

There are daily discounts for:

• children ages 2-12
• students
• seniors
• veterans
• military personnel
• families

In addition to travel between New Orleans and Mobile, the cities of Bay Saint Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi and Pascagoula will also have same-day connections in both directions daily to the famed Amtrak City of New Orleans trains between New Orleans and Chicago via Memphis.

Amtrak Mardi Gras Service guests can also make next-day connections in New Orleans to Amtrak Crescent trains to and from New York via Atlanta, and Amtrak Sunset Limited trains to and from Los Angeles via Tucson, San Antonio and Houston.

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