Amtrak revives Gulf Coast service 20 years after Hurricane Katrina brought it to a standstill
The new, twice-daily Amtrak Mardi Gras Service begins on August 18, and will take three hours and 43 minutes to travel the 145-mile Gulf Coast route.
End-to-end adult fares start at $15 each way and the trains will offer coach and business-class seats, as well as Wi-Fi and a café service.
The first stop after New Orleans is Bay Saint Louis, which offers white sand beaches, downtown art galleries and antique stores, notes Amtrak.
Next is Gulfport, where visitors can book fishing charters and explore Fishbone Alley, an "ever-evolving" public art space tucked into a historic alley.
Top seafood restaurants await at the following stop, Biloxi, says Amtrak, and "incredible" 19th-century antebellum architecture at the penultimate stop of Pascagoula.
Amtrak continues: "Pirate Jean Lafitte, Andrew Jackson, Ulysses S. Grant, Zachary Taylor and Jimmy Buffet all spent time in Pascagoula and considered it home, a hideaway or a respite throughout the years. Visit La Pointe-Krebs House, circa 1718, with a panoramic view of Krebs Lake or simply relax with a picnic at Beach Park for the day, overlooking the Mississippi Sound.
'The Mardi Gras' final stop is known as the Paris of the South, a city, says Amtrak, with a vibrant history that stretches back nearly 325 years — each chapter brimming with fascinating stories and timeless traditions."
Hurricane Katrina, which began as a tropical storm and intensified to a category 5 hurricane, struck the Gulf Coast region in August 2005, causing $125 billion worth of damage and leading to the deaths of 1,800 people.
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), senior member of the US Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, said: "I'm thrilled to have the Amtrak service restored along the Gulf Coast.
"It has been almost 20 years since Hurricane Katrina interrupted this service, and its reopening has been a lot of hard work. The Mardi Gras Rail will expand travel options and allow more Americans to experience the beauty and economic benefits of the Gulf Coast.
"Mississippians deserve access to reliable transportation, and the Mardi Gras Rail will provide more options for communities along the Gulf Coast. I am looking forward to joining Amtrak and thousands of fellow Mississippians at the grand opening."
David Clark, Visit Mobile President & CEO, commented: "This is an incredible moment for the City of Mobile.
"The twice-daily service will provide substantial options for easy and experiential travel for visitors and citizens while creating a new avenue of economic impact for the City of Mobile and Gulf Coast communities."
Amtrak President Roger Harris said: "We encourage customers to get their tickets now to experience this new scenic service.
"Guests can plan travel for football trips this fall, for November and December holiday travel – and even Mardi Gras Season next year."
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Telegraph
2 days ago
- Telegraph
This overlooked train journey is the finest way to explore Canada's natural beauty
Our train conductor was adept at multitasking: besides the duties of a British guard, Walter is baggage handler, buffet attendant and in-person announcer of passing points of interest. Further commentary on passing sights was provided by passenger Angela, who had flagged down the train at the tiny hamlet of Longworth and soon felt compelled to apologise for talking so much, because she hasn't spoken to anyone for days. That's the Canadian backcountry for you. The Skeena is a very Canadian kind of train: informal, friendly and typical in providing a lifeline for remote homesteads. Running over two days between Jasper in Alberta and the Pacific Coast at Prince Rupert, it takes its name from the 'river of clouds' that flows into Hecate Strait. But the first river the train follows is the Fraser, west from Jasper. Jasper has had a tough time. Last year a third of its buildings burned down in forest fires, but the idyllically sited resort is 80 per cent back on its feet and most hotels, fortunately, survived. Standing in a station built of rounded river stones were the three stainless-steel cars of the Skeena, still elegant though they date from the 1950s. A baggage car, chair car and dome car with observation windows at the back provided more than enough space for springtime travellers. Run three times a week by VIA, the government-owned passenger train operator, the Skeena is a flag-stop train that allows people to wave a ride from the lineside, so it seldom exceeds 50mph. As we pulled away from the scarred town, the dozen of us in the dome car began comparing itineraries and wondering whether we would see the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, Mount Robson, without its veil of cloud (on only a dozen days a year is the 12,972ft peak completely clear). Both the Fraser River and the railway follow the Rocky Mountain Trench, so we were at times looking down on the water from a shelf along a sheer-sided gorge, and at others just feet above the water. For much of the way, the line scythes through mixed forests of spruce, pine, alder, aspen and fir, flanked by a seemingly endless succession of peaks that dwarf Snowdon or Ben Nevis. It isn't long before the first cry of 'bear!' and the sight of a large rump disappearing into the undergrowth. In places, the mountains retreated and the river widened to become a lake. As we skirted Fraser Lake, a bald eagle flew right alongside the train for a minute, allowing us to appreciate the graceful motion of its seven-foot wingspan. The valley periodically morphed into open pasture framing wooden farmsteads, often surrounded by generations of discarded farm machinery and abandoned pick-ups. Large clearings denoted the site of abandoned sawmills that once employed enough people to warrant a cinema. Every so often, we passed a two-mile-long double-stack container train, carrying more than 200 imported boxes from the port at Prince Rupert to cities in the east. The men who built the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway could only dream of such largesse. They believed its western end was ripe for agricultural development, optimistic that the extra cost of providing easy gradients and gentle curves would be fully justified by lower operating costs – and faster speeds, thus attracting more traffic to the railway. It opened in 1914, but low revenues in the years which followed compelled the federal government to nationalise it in 1919, and merge the line with others to create the Canadian National Railway four years later. The names of places along the way are redolent of Canadian history and its pioneering settlers, some in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company whose first governor was Prince Rupert of the Rhine. Dunster recalls the Somerset town; Tintagel has a lump of stone from Cornwall; McBride was named after the youngest BC premier; while Mount Rider takes its moniker from the novelist Rider Haggard, who travelled over the line in 1916. Soon enough, we reached Prince George, where the Skeena and its passengers spend the night. In the 'spruce capital of the world', I spent a pleasant few hours visiting the open-air Railway and Forestry Museum, created in celebration of the symbiosis that has sustained the economy for a century. The following morning, we climbed aboard again and continued onwards, the line following the bends of the Skeena river before it broadens towards the sea between towering peaks, taking on a look not unlike the Norwegian fjords. And yet, despite these majestic landscapes, this line nevertheless remains overshadowed by its rivals – VIA's Canadian, which runs between Toronto and Vancouver, and the Rocky Mountaineer's routes. I imagined how splendid these views must be at all other times of year – in the autumn, when the aspens turn orange and gold, and in winter, when the air takes on a razor-sharp clarity and the sky an intense blue. The long final approach to Prince Rupert – known both as the 'halibut capital of the world' and 'city of rainbows' – was spectacular. Running right beside the Skeena estuary, I gawped at the tree-crowned islands in Chatham Sound set against the mountains in the south. Stripped tree trunks tossed on to gravel bars testified to the power of spring melt water. This town might have looked very different had it not lost its main promoter and president of the railway in 1912. Travelling on the Titanic, Charles Melville Hays put his wife and daughter into a lifeboat but went down with the ship, ending his plans for a grand station and 450-room hotel. Hays intended Prince Rupert to become 'the most perfectly laid out and most beautiful city in the Dominion…the Washington of Canada'. But alas, it was not to be. Nevertheless, a century later, his faith in the attraction of a deep ice-free port 250 miles closer to Far East markets has been vindicated: Prince Rupert may not be the country's Washington DC, but it is Canada's third busiest port. For travellers on the Skeena, however, its appeal lies in its coastal beauty – and that of nearby Khutzeymateen Inlet, which sits beside the Alaskan border and offers one of Canada's best opportunities to watch grizzly bears feed at the water's edge. There's history to be had there too: pre-dating the railway is the atmospheric 1889 salmon cannery on Inverness Passage, now the North Pacific Cannery National Historic Site, which tells the story of its 1,000 Chinese, Japanese and indigenous workers. Indigenous culture and crafts are to the fore in the Museum of Northern BC, imposingly constructed of bark-stripped cedar posts and beams in the manner of a First Nations longhouse. It is a fine place to spend a few days at the end of your trip, surrounded by picture-postcard views on what feels like the edge of the world – and which, in a sense, once was: until the train came roaring into town, and put Jasper, Prince George and Prince Rupert – three of the prettiest places in Western Canada – firmly on the map. Essentials Jasper Inn & Suites has doubles from CAD$159 (£86); Coast Prince George Hotel has doubles from CAD$129 (£70); Crest Hotel Prince Rupert has doubles from CAD$239 (£129); Fairmont Hotel Vancouver has doubles from CAD$329 (£178). VIA Rail Canada has one-way tickets between Jasper and Prince Rupert from £85. Anthony Lambert was a guest of Destination Canada.
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Ultimate family weekends – from outdoorsy getaways to fun-packed city breaks, the best British trips
Looking for inspiration for a family getaway this summer? You don't have to head to the airport for an adventure. From rural adventures and buzzy city breaks to coastal getaways and glamping, there are so many options for a great British weekend away, all handily on our doorstep. Travelling by train makes it even more fun for the whole family, and with a Railcard (there are nine to choose from including the Family & Friends Railcard) users can save up to a third off most rail travel around Britain, it pays for itself in no time. With such great discounts as well as great offers like 2FOR1 and a third off selected attractions when you travel by train with National Rail's Days Out Guide – you can squeeze in even more enjoyment for less this summer. Find the one that's right for you at Enjoy the coast with the most in Cornwall Beautiful beaches, buzzy seaside towns and world-class attractions make Cornwall a classic family destination – and there's no better way to arrive than by train. Head to St Ives and you can enjoy one of the most scenic stretches of coastline in the country en route. The town has plenty to keep you busy, from outdoor adventures like seal spotting and a picturesque working harbour to cultural attractions like Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Gallery. Another great weekend destination is St Austell, where you'll be a short bus ride from both the lush environs of The Eden Project and The Lost Gardens of Heligan, beautiful romantic gardens that were rediscovered 33 years ago and have been lovingly restored since. Nearest stations: St Ives, St Austell – both a few minutes walk from the town centre Go fully rural on a farm break Kids will love getting to stay on a working farm where they can get off their screens and get involved with activities like feeding lambs, watching cows being milked and even walking alpacas. Featherdown Farms offer a variety of farm stays throughout Britain that offer the perfect off-grid family break – many of which are accessible by train. There's East Shilvinghampton Farm on Dorset's stunning Jurassic Coast (close to Weymouth, Upwey and Dorchester stations), Moor Farm in the beautiful Cotswold countryside (five miles from Gloucester station) or College Farm in Norfolk (ten minutes from Beccles station). Nearest stations: Various – see above Step back in time in historic York Not only is York a beautiful city, packed with historic buildings, green spaces and atmospheric streets, it's also extremely walkable, making it easy to take in the attractions – of which there are many. Walking the mediaeval city walls is a must, as is climbing York Minster and strolling narrow cobbled lane The Shambles – believed to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. Children and adults alike will love the huge collection of locomotives at The National Rail Museum and the immersive experience of the Jorvik Viking Centre. Take a spooky walk through 2000 years of history at the York Dungeon, where you can get a third off entry with your train ticket (pre booking essential). When you travel by train you can also take advantage of National Rail 2FOR1 offers at York's Chocolate Story, York Army Museum and on City Cruises down the River Ouse. Nearest station: York, about a 10 minute walk to city centre Explore the stunning Pembrokeshire Coast Use the picture perfect town of Tenby, with its colourful houses, sandy beaches and quaint harbour, as a base to explore this stunning stretch of coastline. Board a boat to Caldey Island, hit the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path for breathtaking views or simply enjoy one of the town's three beaches. Just a couple of miles from the town centre are The Dinosaur Park and Manor House Wildlife Park. If you're feeling brave, go on a guided ghost walk unveiling haunting secrets and local mysteries, and be sure to make a trip to Fecci's, which has been serving up delicious fish and chips since 1935. Nearest station: Tenby, about a five minute walk from town centre Go glamping With everything already set up and no camping gear to lug with you, it's easy to arrive by train for a weekend of glamping — and there are plenty of options within easy reach of train stations. In the Yorkshire Dales, Ribblesdale Pods are walkable from the station (Horton in Ribblesdale) and have large family friendly options, as well as dog-friendly pods and ones with hot tubs. Adhurst Yurts in Hampshire are a ten minute taxi ride from Petersfield Station and offer extras like guided nature walks and the option to learn skills like bushcraft, fly fishing and basketry. The eco-friendly cabins at Little Menherion in Cornwall feel like they're in the middle of nowhere – but are just three miles from Redruth station. If you want to keep the kids happy then North Hill Farm with its quirky selection of glamping options is a 15 minute taxi journey from Watford Junction – where you can also catch a shuttle bus to the Harry Potter Studios. Nearest station: Various – see above Enjoy a kid-friendly culture trip in Liverpool Packed with museums, galleries, iconic buildings and a buzzy waterfront, Liverpool has plenty to entertain visitors of all ages. Kids will love the dinosaurs in the World Museum, and the interactive Museum of Liverpool. Hop on a ferry across the Mersey and you'll find Eureka! Science + Discovery, aimed at igniting kids' interest in science and technology. Music lovers will enjoy the British Music Experience, a huge museum dedicated to the history of UK pop music. And if you're into the Fab Four, you can also take advantage of 2FOR1 entry to The Beatles Story Museum when you travel by train. If this doesn't hit the right note for you, there are lots more Liverpool offers for you to enjoy on Days Out Guide. Football more your bag? There's 2FOR1 tickets available for rail travellers when you take a tour of Anfield, too. Nearest stations: Liverpool Lime Street or Liverpool Central, both in the city centre Hang out with wildlife in the New Forest Step off the train in the New Forest and before long you're likely to find yourself up close with wild ponies, who roam the streets, moorland and woodland there freely (as do wild pigs). The national park is full of walking and cycle trails, so it's easy to explore the beautiful scenery by foot or hire bikes to reach attractions like the Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary. With eight stations in the New Forest you can also hop around easily by train. Brockenhurst is a good entry point, but from there you can explore destinations like the pretty village of Sway, or Ashurst, where you'll find the New Forest Wildlife Park. You can also easily reach the coastal town of Lymington. Nearest station: Brockenhurst, in the centre of Brockenhurst village Stay in a castle Warwick Castle – located just a 15 minute walk from Warwick station – is one of the country's best family-friendly attractions. But did you know you can also stay there, too? It offers various accommodation options, including a hotel, lodges, mediaeval themed glamping and exclusive suites in the 14th century castle tower. During the day there loads going on to keep everyone entertained, including jousting experiences, the UK's biggest bird of prey display and live shows in the castle dungeon. Even if you don't opt to stay on-site, day visitors who travel by train can get a third off entry. Nearest station: Warwick, about a 15 minute walk from Warwick Castle Have a family-perfect city break in Edinburgh From taking in historic attractions like the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle and Grassmarket to enjoying outdoor adventures like climbing Arthur's Seat and exploring Holyrood Park, the Scottish capital has so much to offer visitors. You could lose a day alone in Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, a five-floor attraction with over 100 interactive exhibits. Other family friendly attractions include Edinburgh Zoo, the Edinburgh Dungeon (where train travellers can enjoy a third off entry alongside their discounted rail fare when they travel by train with a Railcard and prebook through and, of course, a Harry Potter walking tour. Another great thing about a city break in Edinburgh? It's only 10 minutes on a train from the city centre to Portobello Beach – so you can enjoy the best of both worlds. Nearest station: Edinburgh Waverley in the city centre Enjoy some old-school seaside fun in Blackpool Blackpool's popularity as a holiday resort soared when the town's railway station opened in the 1840s – and to this day it remains a fabulous seaside destination to discover by rail, with a perfect blend of old school charm and modern attractions. The seven mile stretch of beach has three Victorian piers, with the Central Pier home to the town's famous Big Wheel. Blackpool Pleasure Beach has roller coasters and rides to suit both big thrillseekers and little adventurers. The Blackpool Tower is an iconic British landmark (and home to the equally iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom) and rail travellers can get a third off tickets to climb it when they prebook. There's a third off other attractions too, including SEA LIFE Blackpool, Madame Tussauds Blackpool and The Blackpool Tower Circus. Nearest station: Blackpool North Station, about a 10 minute walk to main attractions Enjoy great value British adventures by train From stunning nature and the Great Outdoors, to culture, cuisine and incredible scenery, there's no doubt Britain has it all in spades, and these unmissable adventures are just a simple, enjoyable train ride away. So there's never been a better time to start planning some Great British getaways, from day trips to weekends away or a longer staycation. With Railcard, whether you're travelling solo or with a friend, on a couples weekend or off on holiday with the family, you can save on all sorts of train journeys around Great Britain. Railcard helps you save a third off rail travel and for just £35 for the year, it pays for itself in no time. With 9 different Railcards available, find the one for you at What's more, you can enjoy 2FOR1 and other offers with National Rail's Days Out Guide when you travel by train. So make this your year to get out, experience and explore everything on your doorstep and enjoy truly great value getaways.
The Independent
3 days ago
- The Independent
Amtrak revives Gulf Coast service 20 years after Hurricane Katrina brought it to a standstill
Tickets are now on sale for a train service between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, that has been revived 20 years after it was halted by Hurricane Katrina. The new, twice-daily Amtrak Mardi Gras Service begins on August 18, and will take three hours and 43 minutes to travel the 145-mile Gulf Coast route. End-to-end adult fares start at $15 each way and the trains will offer coach and business-class seats, as well as Wi-Fi and a café service. The first stop after New Orleans is Bay Saint Louis, which offers white sand beaches, downtown art galleries and antique stores, notes Amtrak. Next is Gulfport, where visitors can book fishing charters and explore Fishbone Alley, an "ever-evolving" public art space tucked into a historic alley. Top seafood restaurants await at the following stop, Biloxi, says Amtrak, and "incredible" 19th-century antebellum architecture at the penultimate stop of Pascagoula. Amtrak continues: "Pirate Jean Lafitte, Andrew Jackson, Ulysses S. Grant, Zachary Taylor and Jimmy Buffet all spent time in Pascagoula and considered it home, a hideaway or a respite throughout the years. Visit La Pointe-Krebs House, circa 1718, with a panoramic view of Krebs Lake or simply relax with a picnic at Beach Park for the day, overlooking the Mississippi Sound. 'The Mardi Gras' final stop is known as the Paris of the South, a city, says Amtrak, with a vibrant history that stretches back nearly 325 years — each chapter brimming with fascinating stories and timeless traditions." Hurricane Katrina, which began as a tropical storm and intensified to a category 5 hurricane, struck the Gulf Coast region in August 2005, causing $125 billion worth of damage and leading to the deaths of 1,800 people. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), senior member of the US Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, said: "I'm thrilled to have the Amtrak service restored along the Gulf Coast. "It has been almost 20 years since Hurricane Katrina interrupted this service, and its reopening has been a lot of hard work. The Mardi Gras Rail will expand travel options and allow more Americans to experience the beauty and economic benefits of the Gulf Coast. "Mississippians deserve access to reliable transportation, and the Mardi Gras Rail will provide more options for communities along the Gulf Coast. I am looking forward to joining Amtrak and thousands of fellow Mississippians at the grand opening." David Clark, Visit Mobile President & CEO, commented: "This is an incredible moment for the City of Mobile. "The twice-daily service will provide substantial options for easy and experiential travel for visitors and citizens while creating a new avenue of economic impact for the City of Mobile and Gulf Coast communities." Amtrak President Roger Harris said: "We encourage customers to get their tickets now to experience this new scenic service. "Guests can plan travel for football trips this fall, for November and December holiday travel – and even Mardi Gras Season next year."
