The new Amtrak Mardi Gras Service drew major crowds in four Coast cities during a preview run on Saturday as city and state officials, Amtrak leaders, Southern Rail Commission representatives and Mardi Gras Krewe executives rode the train from New Orleans to Mobile.
The train service opens to the public on Tuesday, marking the return of Amtrak to the Coast for the first time since Hurricane Katrina.
“This is one of the final pieces of the recovery puzzle,” U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker said. “It’s been 20 years since we’ve had a rail service. People are going to be able to count on the schedule and know that the train’s coming in on time.”
The service will offer two daily departures with four stops along the Coast: Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi and Pascagoula.
The route takes about four hours from New Orleans to Mobile, with trains reaching speeds of up to 80 mph.
Amtrak’s return
Hundreds of revelers—many adorned in Mardi Gras gear—cheered and waved as the train arrived in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi and Pascagoula.
The train stopped for about 15 minutes in each city, allowing passengers to enjoy cheerleading performances, second lines, jazz bands and speeches from city and state officials.
“It’s been a long time, and it’s been a lot of work,” Gulfport Mayor Hugh Keating said. “Thank you so much for believing in us and the Coastal Mississippi area.”
“It’s been nine years of Senator Roger Wicker’s passion to bring this back, and it’s aligned with our goals and mission to bring people to Biloxi,” Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich said.
Many tailgaters and businesses camped out around the Amtrak terminals.
Sunny and Terry Posner said they arrived at the terminal at 9 a.m. to celebrate the new train service.
“We had heard about it for so long that we didn’t know if it was really going to come,” Sunny Posner said.
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