New Gulf Coast service (New Orleans - Mobile and Baton Rouge)

[CraigInNC]

The La. politicians seem onboard for BR, but such things have happened before.

If Edwin Edwards were still around he would know how to grease the wheels just right. I just get the feeling that there is more here to do with national politics than just port economics...

https://www.al.com/news/2023/12/wer...t-started-between-mobile-and-new-orleans.html

 

[JamesWhitcombRiley]

Wonder if Alabama would have supported it if it went to the capital Montgomery instead of Mobile.

 

[DonNewcomb]

Want to make this trip by train, not car!

I'd like to go to FQF without having to pay the outrageous parking rates they charge in The Quarter and CBD but it doesn't look like it will happen this year.

 

[JWM]

I have to wonder if laying the original tracks took less time than getting this train going.

 

[JamesWhitcombRiley]

I'd like to go to FQF without having to pay the outrageous parking rates they charge in The Quarter and CBD but it doesn't look like it will happen this year.

I suggest parking uptown and taking the streetcar. You can flip the seat to face in your preferred direction.

 

[joelkfla]

I'd like to go to FQF without having to pay the outrageous parking rates they charge in The Quarter and CBD but it doesn't look like it will happen this year.

What's FQF?

 

[Anderson]

What's FQF?

While the phonetic pronunciation of those letters could lead to some colorful assumptions, I think it's "French Quarter Fest".

 

[Willbridge]

While the phonetic pronunciation of those letters could lead to some colorful assumptions, I think it's "French Quarter Fest".

I thought that every weekend night there was a fest. In a visit back before Katrina, I rode the 2:15 a.m. St. Charles trip from the Canal Street loop out to the carbarn and it was a memorable experience.

 

[jis]

Update on service to Mobile from RPA

https://www.railpassengers.org/happ...-may-could-see-gulf-coast-roadblocks-cleared/

 

[thetourman]

Mobile just released preliminary plans for their station.

https://mynbc15.com/news/local/take...ign-plans-for-mobile-amtrak-station-revealed#

 

[DonNewcomb]

What's FQF?

French Quarter Festival.

 

[Septa9739]

Nothing says commitment like a car and a half of platform in an extant parking lot.

 

[Willbridge]

Mobile just released preliminary plans for their station.

https://mynbc15.com/news/local/take...ign-plans-for-mobile-amtrak-station-revealed#

It doesn't seem to have a bay or two for charter or Thruway or intercity buses.

 

[Hytec]

Amtrak's proposed schedule for the two daily round trips was posted on AU a while back, possibly two or three years or longer ago. Maybe not even this thread, though I doubt it. Does anyone remember where?

 

[Hytec]

A Mobile TV station broadcast an NBC News feed that a contract(s) had been let for a storage track and platform. As a result, Amtrak announced that service would start this coming October. I sure hope that I don't have to admit "Shame me once, shame on you. Shame me twice, shame on me."

BTW, the two-train schedules were posted. Sorry, but I don't have them right now.

 

[niemi24s]

How about this: https://mynbc15.com/news/local/amtr...of-zoning-adjustment-considers-depot-location

 

[jis]

Finally Zoning change has been approved to permit construction of temporary platform at the Mobile Station location...

https://mynbc15.com/news/local/amtr...ard-receiving-critical-support-from-former-op

This one does not require subscription

https://www.al.com/news/2024/05/mil...ore-work-before-gulf-coast-line-re-start.html

 

[west point]

Now can we hope that no NIMBY opposes the rezoning in the next 15 days.

 

[JamesWhitcombRiley]

Amtrak faces skepticism from council members in bid to launch train service in Mobile

The city is still in a standoff with the state over funding. It's a good, in-depth article, from a TV station.

 

[Anthony V]

If the Mobile City Council rejects this agreement, does that mean that the entire project will have been derailed at the 1-yard line, or will there be an alternative way forward if such a scenario happens? After all, Mississippi communities with stops along the route have already poured millions of dollars into upgrading their stations, expecting that this service will eventually happen. Those communities would certainly feel ripped off if Mobile decides to not fund this project, and there are never any efforts to work out a plan "B" for a long-term funding solution to ongoing operating costs.

 

[PaTrainFan]

It will be killed. A certain attitude dominates here with a certain way of thinking in a state not known for progressive attitudes by favoring select culture wars and societal priorities. Little else matters.

 

[George Harris]

This is the sort of whiny idiocy that really burns me:

From the text of the WALA report: "District 5 Councilman Joel Daves, who for years has been the council’s leading critic of subsidizing Amtrak, pounded the table in complaining that the train supporters are asking the “poor little city of Mobile” to fund a project that mostly would benefit the Port of Mobile and the states of Mississippi and Louisiana."

Does this dolt not know what benefits the port of Mobile benefits the city of Mobile? Mobile is not a "poor little city". The truth is that for years the city has made out like a bandit off state support for the port, which has led to considerable ocean going trade passing through the port. For many years Mobile has simply sat back and let the state pour money into the port facilities to the benefit of the city. Simple: For ocean going trade into the state of Alabama, Mobile is the only game in town.

"

 

[cassie225]

So sad if this does not happen.

 

[Amtrak25]

The Port has always been against it and likely owns the District 5 Councilman.

Multi-state 403b trains all failed rather quickly, been the case since 1972, the state in the middle often being the culprit if allowed to be, though New Hampshire pays nothing for Downeaster service even though Exeter is the busiest intermediate stops. Most PRIIA-209 and ConnectUS will remain stillborn.

The Borealis is an exception, though it merely replaced a Hiawatha frequency and extended it while Illinois is paying for part of it even though they get no additional CHI-MIL frequencies out of it.

 

[Palmland]

I suppose a Plan B could be terminate the train in Pascagoula, MS, about 30 miles west of Mobile. There is even a short passing siding just beyond the historic station. At one time The L&N had a local from New Orleans stopping at Ocean Springs about 15 miles short of Pascagoula.

It sounds like all MS cities Are ready for Amtrak. Of course failure to reach Mobile may well jeopardize the infrastructure money CSX and the Port want which would likely kill the project.

But I have to agree this should be a state supported project and not funded by a single city. Maybe Alabama’s governor will listen to the support now coming from CSX and the Port, if not from her constituents. It’s ‘free’ infrastructure money!