Quick Read
- Amtrak’s Mardi Gras Service launched in August 2025, connecting New Orleans and Mobile.
- The service marks Amtrak’s first return to the Gulf Coast in 20 years, reviving a pre-Katrina route.
- It attracted 46,000 riders in under four months, doubling initial expectations.
- The route includes stops in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula, Mississippi.
- The service has stimulated local economies, fostering new businesses and culinary tourism.
NEW ORLEANS (Azat TV) – Amtrak’s Mardi Gras Service, which debuted last August, has successfully revived crucial rail connections along the Gulf Coast, marking the passenger rail operator’s first return to the region in two decades. This re-established route, connecting New Orleans, Louisiana, to Mobile, Alabama, with stops across coastal Mississippi, has significantly surpassed initial ridership projections and is actively fostering a burgeoning local economy.
The service, which resurrects a line last operational before Hurricane Katrina, has quickly become a vital artery for both travelers and the communities it serves. In less than four months since its launch in August 2025, approximately 46,000 riders boarded the Mardi Gras Service, doubling Amtrak’s initial anticipation. This unexpected surge in demand has occasionally necessitated the addition of extra cars for special events, such as New Orleans Saints home games, underscoring the route’s immediate popularity.
Reviving Gulf Coast Rail Connections
The Mardi Gras Service offers a roughly four-hour journey between its endpoints, stopping in four coastal Mississippi towns: Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula. This re-engagement by Amtrak with the Gulf Coast, after a twenty-year hiatus, was met with considerable enthusiasm by rail enthusiasts who hailed it as a significant milestone for passenger rail in the region. The service operates two trains daily in each direction—one in the early morning and another in the early evening—providing convenient options for both short excursions and longer explorations.
Conductors and passengers alike have reported a palpable sense of excitement surrounding the new service. Amtrak veteran Ms. Dee, who has worked on legendary routes like the Crescent to New York and the City of New Orleans to Chicago, noted the “good vibes” prevalent on the Mardi Gras Service. Many passengers, for whom train travel remains a novel experience, approach their journeys with wide-eyed wonder, tracking velocity on their phones and relishing the scenic views of marshland and open water.
A Boost for Local Gulf Coast Economies
The return of Amtrak has ignited a mini-ecosystem of train-adjacent businesses and local ventures along the route. At stations like Pascagoula, where the 121-year-old depot is undergoing renovation to house a new brewpub by Gulfport’s Chandeleur Island Brewing Company, local entrepreneurs see the train as a catalyst for growth. Warren Collmer, owner of District Coffee Company in Pascagoula, expressed hopes that the train would accelerate development in areas like Pascagoula, which has historically lagged behind neighboring towns.
Throughout the coastal towns, new and existing businesses are benefiting from increased tourism. In Gulfport, the Siren Social Club, a speakeasy-style establishment, and Tavi’s Salumeria, a sandwich shop, are drawing in visitors. Biloxi, with its high concentration of Vietnamese residents, boasts hidden culinary gems like Chopstx at the Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort, where sous chef Khuong “Jimmy” Tran’s 24-hour pho broth has gained a following. Ocean Springs, known for its artsy energy, has seen additions like CRAVE Food Hall, featuring Mawi Tortillas and Shorelines Coastal Kitchen by acclaimed chef Wilfredo Avelar, and the unique French Hermit Oyster Company, offering fresh, shucked oysters by an estuary.
The Unique Mardi Gras Service Experience
Travelers on the Mardi Gras Service are encouraged to explore the distinct flavors and attractions of each coastal stop. From the vibrant culinary scene in Gulfport and Biloxi to the tranquil charm of Bay St. Louis, where golf cart rentals facilitate easy exploration, the route offers diverse experiences. Local institutions like Bozo’s Grocery & Grill in Pascagoula, a seafood landmark since 1957, highlight the Gulf’s rich culinary heritage, with a strong emphasis on locally sourced seafood—a response to recent legislation and increased public awareness regarding seafood fraud.
The journey itself is described as a comfortable and scenic passage, with observations ranging from sportfishermen bobbing in Lake Pontchartrain to dolphins arcing through the water. The train’s dining options include local favorites such as Zapp’s potato chips, pralines, Community Coffee, and Ms. Dee’s preferred muffuletta, adding a touch of regional authenticity to the onboard experience.
The successful revival of Amtrak’s Mardi Gras Service underscores the significant potential of passenger rail to not only reconnect communities but also to serve as a powerful engine for local economic development and sustainable tourism in regions previously underserved by modern infrastructure.