ALL ABOARD THE GULF COAST INSPECTION TRAIN By Jack Turner
ALL ABOARD THE GULF COAST INSPECTION TRAIN
By Jack M. Turner
In April 1993 Amtrak inaugurated service between New Orleans and Miami
via an extension of its Los Angeles to New Orleans Sunset
Limited. The special eastbound inaugural train was greeted by
large crowds at stops between New Orleans and Jacksonville and modest
crowds at points beyond which already were served by Amtrak. The
tri-weekly train did good business at first but ridership took a
precipitous decline as the eastbound train earned a reputation for
tardiness due to major freight congestion in Texas and points
west. By then the train had been cut back to Orlando though
westbound patrons could still make a connection from points south at
Orlando.
On August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina slammed into the southeast
Louisiana coast, devastating New Orleans and the Mississippi and
Alabama Gulf Coasts. The CSX rail line along the Gulf Coast was,
in many places, destroyed with the worst damage inflicted upon its long
bridges across St. Louis Bay and Biloxi Bay as well as along the
coastal region. The Amtrak station in Mobile, Alabama was flooded
by the storm and subsequently razed in 2007. CSX crews worked
around the clock and restored the rail line within months following
Katrina, an amazing feat considering the destruction. Though the
tracks were ready for a return of Amtrak, service was not restored
though national timetables still listed stops east of New Orleans with
the notation “The Sunset Limited service between Orlando and New
Orleans has been suspended. Future service has not been
determined.” Eventually the stations were removed from the Sunset
Limited schedule though a dashed line continued on the Amtrak system
map with a “Service Suspended” note in the map’s legend.
Periodic talk of restoring service to the “Sunset East” route surfaced
from time to time but never seemed to gain traction. Behind the
scenes, though, the Southern Rail Commission (SRC), composed of members
from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, was hard at work studying
five options for restoring rail passenger service east of New
Orleans. In February 2016 the Commission was ready to take the
next step by running an inspection train with major Amtrak involvement
from New Orleans to Jacksonville. The inspection train would
allow Amtrak and the SRC to inspect the track and station
infrastructure while permitting officials from the states and local
communities to network in an effort to build support. Media
participation would help spread the message and the enthusiasm of local
residents in the cities served would add a dose of local color.
What resulted far exceeded anyone’s expectations.
The waiting room at New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal was alive with
excitement at 7:30am on Thursday, February 18, 2016 as invited guests
lined up to check in for Amtrak’s Gulf Coast Inspection Train.
Stops during the two-day event were the same as the station stops made
during the 12 year run of the Sunset Limited. A cadre of
politicians, media, and other invitees boarded or detrained at each
stop while Amtrak and CSX officials, Southern Rail Commission members,
and a core group of politicians and media members rode the entire trip.
An interesting consist had been rounded up for the inspection train:
P40 locomotive # 822 and P42 # 145, wearing matching Phase IIIb livery;
Viewliner sleeper 62035; Heritage dormitory-conference car “Pacific
Cape” (a former 10 roomette-6 bedroom sleeper); inspection car “Beech
Grove, running open platform forward; Amfleet II coaches 25035, 25067,
and 25023; Full dome “Ocean View”; Viewliner I diner 8400
“Indianapolis”; Viewliner sleeper 62043 “New River” (formerly “Sunset
View”); and inspection car 10004 “American View”, a former Viewliner
sleeper remodeled with conference room space and theater seating facing
a full length rear glass end.
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The author beside P40 # 822 before departing New Orleans
Viewliner I dining car 8400 “Indianapolis” at New Orleans
Viewliner I sleeper “New River” (formerly “Sunset View”)
Preparing to depart the Crescent City
Track inspection car “American View” is a former Viewliner I sleeper
A glass window and theater seating allow excellent viewing of the tracks
Following a press conference in the station, the train loaded and
departed at 8:45am. After passing the Amtrak yard and branching
eastward away from the route used by the City of New Orleans, the
inspection train passed a group of women standing in a church parking
lot holding a sign “Gulf Coast Needs Passenger Rail”. Similar
scenes would play out repeatedly throughout the next two days.
The New Orleans Superdome appears as the train departs the station
An above ground cemetery stands adjacent to the point where the rails branch to the east
After crossing the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal linking the
Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, the train passed CSX Gentilly
Yard then the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility which formerly constructed
the external fuel tanks used on space shuttle flights. Riders
were amazed by the view as the special train traveled through eastern
Louisiana, traversed marshlands, and skirted the shore of the
glistening Gulf of Mexico on a cloudless morning.
Beautiful views greet passengers in eastern Louisiana
The CSX line travels along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico near the mouth of the Pearl River
Anticipation built as we approached the first stop, Bay St. Louis,
Mississippi, which had made a favorable impression in 1993 when one of
the Sunset inaugural’s two largest crowds greeted the train. As
the special eased to a stop at 10:05am, the magnitude of the present
day crowd overwhelmed everyone on board as a huge throng surrounded the
railway station. Many held signs welcoming Amtrak while others
wore Mardi Gras inspired attire. As officials and media detrained
for a few remarks, the crowd clapped to tunes played by the Bay High
School band. It was apparent Bay St. Louis wants Amtrak to
return.
A huge crowd meets Train at Bay St. Louis, MS
Great Dome “Ocean View” (originally built for Great Northern RR) at Bay St. Louis
Excited locals greeted the train at Bay St. Louis and subsequent stops
An enthusiastic crowd enjoys the festivities on the Bay St. Louis station platform
Bay High School’s band entertained outside the Bay St. Louis depot
Another scene was repeated from 1993 immediately after departure as a
couple hundred uniformed students lined a schoolyard fence waving and
holding signs welcoming Amtrak. It occurred to me that some of
these kids were likely second generation Amtrak greeters as their
parents may well have stood along this fence 23 years earlier.
Just beyond the school the rails cross beautiful, wide St. Louis Bay
whose waters ravaged the railway trestle during Katrina. Beyond
the eastern shore the special passed through Pass Christian, the focal
point of Hurricane Camille in 1969. Somewhere along this stretch
a shrimp boat was deposited onto the tracks during Hurricane
Katrina. Despite these past disasters, this and other communities
along the Gulf today display an unconquered spirit that has led
to prosperity.
Students line the fence for 100 yards behind their school in Bay St.
Louis. A similar scene in 1993 probably included some of their
parents (see next photo).
In this 1993 scene students greet the Sunset Limited inaugural.train as it passes behind the school in Bay St. Louis
Photographers record the Gulf Coast Inspection Train preparing to cross St. Louis Bay
A beach beside the CSX bridge over St. Louis Bay
The US 90 bridge crosses St. Louis Bay south of the railway bridge
Arrival in Gulfport at 10:51am was met by another large and
enthusiastic crowd which included a couple dozen onlookers standing on
various levels of a five story parking garage adjacent to the
station. A fire truck extended a huge American flag over the
train and the crowd jockeyed for position to listen to remarks by
Governor Phil Bryant along with Amtrak Board member Tom Carper.
The Governor had ridden the engine from Bay St. Louis and would
continue on to Pascagoula. As was the case at all stops along the
Mississippi coast, the Governor expressed support for bringing Amtrak
back to the route. Another speaker noted that we were blessed
with beautiful chamber of commerce weather, clear skies and
temperatures in the 70s.
A big crowd assembled at the Gulfport station
A parking garage adjacent to the Gulfport station provides good viewing to several onlookers
Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant enthusiastically endorses Amtrak’s return to Gulfport and the Mississippi Gulf coast
After tracing the southern edge of Keesler AFB, best known as home to
the Hurricane Hunter aircraft teams, the Gulf Coast Inspection Train
pulled into Biloxi at 11:26am. Once again a large crowd waited,
this time resembling a pep rally led by Biloxi High School‘s band and
cheerleaders. Just east of the Biloxi depot the railway crossed
impressive Biloxi Bay and several photographers captured our passage
from the banks of the bay. One of the day’s big surprises awaited
five minutes later as the train crept past the old Louisville &
Nashville depot in Ocean Springs. A large crowd waved excitedly
as the train passed despite the fact that Ocean Springs has never been
a passenger train stop since the days of the Louisville &
Nashville’s Gulf Wind, Pan American, and Humming Bird. Spotted
among the crowd were signs reading “Amtrak Stop Here” and similar
slogans. It was noted on board that area casinos would be a
certain destination if rail service returns to Biloxi.
Mardi Gras attire and umbrellas are evident as the train pulls into Biloxi
The stop in Biloxi resembles a high school pep rally
Crossing Biloxi Bay, the US 90 highway bridge stands to the south
Another sizeable crowd greeted the 12:03pm arrival at Pascagoula, home
of the Ingalls Shipyard which handles many shipbuilding projects for
the US Navy. Crossing the river into town the shipyards could be
spotted on the right along with a pair of NOAA research vessels
headquartered in Pascagoula. The next stop, Mobile, Alabama,
produced an enthusiastic crowd at the site of the former Mobile Amtrak
station which was razed after flooding damage from Hurricane
Katrina. Media reports indicate that plans have been drawn up for
a new station just east of the former location.
NOAA research vessels based in Pascagoula are tied up near the railway
More signs are displayed by supporters in Pascagoula
The depot in Pascagoula remains ready for Amtrak
Platform view of the special train at Mobile
Leaving Mobile we passed the Alabama docks which are busy with
oceangoing ships and a large volume of barge traffic. Following a
northward heading, the inspection train paralleled the Mobile River and
passed beneath the massive I-165 highway bridge which was built during
the years in which the Sunset Limited passed through the area.
Heading northeastward the CSX led us through a region dominated by
rivers and bayous. We paused for a couple minutes on the bridge
crossing Bayou Canot, scene of the tragic Sunset Limited accident in
October 1993 in which a barge piloted by a confused tugboat/barge
captain rammed the railroad trestle on a foggy night. A memorial
plaque resting beside the east bank of the bayou on the south side of
the track evoked the emotions of those familiar with the accident.
The I-165 bridge was constructed during the years the Sunset Limited traveled this route
The muddy Bayou Canot, scene of the sad Sunset Limited accident in 1993
Crossing the Tensaw River between Mobile and Bay Minette
The inspection train was welcomed to Atmore, Alabama at 2:25pm by a
fire truck spraying a stream of water over the train in a scene similar
to that used to greet newly commissioned aircraft and new cruise
ships. As was custom at all scheduled stops, dignitaries
representing Amtrak and various political entities made a few remarks
and thanked the crowd of local residents who met the train. While
the train deadheaded eastward to Pensacola to tie down for the night,
invited guests were shuttled to the impressive Wind Creek Hotel and
Casino north of town for a press conference, reception, and overnight
stay.
Trailing P42 # 145 at Atmore
A creative homemade sign at the Atmore station
The inspection train departs Atmore for an overnight in the rail yard at Pensacola
The press conference featured Amtrak Vice President Joe McHugh and
Amtrak Board member Tom Carper, Southern Rail Commission Chairman Greg
White and Vice Chair John Spain, Congresswoman Corrine Brown from
Jacksonville, Florida, former Amtrak Board and SRC member John Robert
Smith, and other notable speakers in a panel format. During the
presentation of the plan to restore service it was made clear that
there would be a daily New Orleans to Orlando train, possibly with a
second train between New Orleans and Mobile. It also was
emphatically noted that this would involve equipment from the City of
New Orleans rather than an extension of the Sunset Limited as the City
would solve the timekeeping issues that plagued the Sunset and would
allow daily service. More than one speaker emphasized that such
service would have ample revenue generating opportunities as the
region’s population has grown while its tourism and gaming industries
have expanded. Stated John Robert Smith: “This isn’t about
nostalgia; it’s about the future. Your representatives have to
hear your voice”.
Officials declare support during a press conference in Atmore
The Commission’s goal is to have service up and running within four
years with various parties estimating anywhere from two to four years
to begin operation. It was noted that the massive crowds at the
day’s stops were a real slice of Americana, representing the spirit of
the South. “There were old, young, school children, working
people, retired folks and people of all races who took time out of
their day to support us. This brought tears to our eyes showing
they want the train. It links small towns, medium sized, and
large communities,” observed Mr. Smith.
The Amtrak officials also expressed optimism with comments such as “We
left 10 years ago after Katrina. You never left us, we left
you. We are going to come back. Today showed us what we are
missing. We promise to work to return. CSX is a willing
partner.” Additionally it was stated, “There is a plan and a
vision. The company is committed to being a good partner.”
The view from the plush Wind Creek Hotel and Casino in Atmore
Friday, February 19, 2016 dawned bright and early as guests were
shuttled to Pensacola for the Florida portion of the inspection
trip. A throng of supporters jammed the grounds of the Amtrak
station which remains in good condition. As the train departed at
8:00am a fire truck made a water salute which would be repeated in many
communities through the day. Immediately east of the station the
CSX rails join Escambia Bay and follow the shoreline for several miles
just a few feet from the bay’s sparkling waters. After 15 minutes
we passed under the twin span I-10 bridges along the western shore of
Escambia Bay then curved sharply to the right and began the crossing of
the bay on the impressive high-rise CSX bridge.
The locomotives pulling the Gulf Coast Inspection Train wear a smart paint scheme
A costumed group poses beside the train in Pensacola
A man shows his support before the morning send-off from Pensacola
The front of the Pensacola station looks as it did when the Sunset Limited ran
A well attended rally starts day two off on a good note
Water hoses used to service the Sunset Limited remain on the Pensacola platform
“Pacific Cape”, a former Union Pacific sleeping car, serves multiple purposes today
Amtrak office car “Beech Grove”, running platform forward, at Pensacola
A painting of the “Beech Grove” in Philadelphia adorns a bulkhead in its namesake car
Escambia Bay moments after departing the Pensacola station
A quiet beach along Escambia Bay
Passing below the twin I-10 bridges that cross Escambia Bay
Moments before beginning passage over the CSX bridge over Escambia Bay (left), the parallel I-10 bridge is visible at right
The tall I-10 bridge over Escambia Bay seen from the impressive CSX bridge
Sailboats moored in a little harbor on the east side of Escambia Bay
An impromptu stop was made in Milton to detrain local dignitaries then
the train’s passage surprised a couple of men in a fishing boat near
the Blackwater River drawbridge. An enthusiastic crowd awaited
our arrival in Crestview accompanied by the high school concert
band. We met a westbound CSX freight a half hour later, the third
freight train encountered in 90 minutes. As they had done
throughout the trip, the CSX dispatchers gave Amtrak the main line to
allow it to meet its schedule. Meanwhile, a car paced the train
on parallel US 90 with its passenger shooting video of the train for
several miles as we rolled eastward. A passenger in
the dome car smiled as he recounted an official approaching his wife
and him at Pensacola and offering them guest badges to ride. He
put his wife on the train then drove to Crestview to pick her up then
they traded places so he could ride to Chipley. This excellent
public relations move had been conceived before departure from
Pensacola and repeated throughout the day much to the pleasure of a
lucky few.
The former L&N Milton depot today houses a railroad museum
Fishermen near the Blackwater River drawbridge
The Crestview stop draws a sizeable crowd
The rear of the inspection train at Crestview
The small town of DeFuniak Springs produced an impressive turnout
despite not being a stop for the special. Local police cars
guarded the grade crossings in town and residents lined the tracks to
watch the inspection train pass at reduced speed. One
resident held a sign imploring “Amtrak Stop Here!” while another sign
simply stated “DeFuniak Wants Amtrak”. Five ladies waved
enthusiastically as we rolled through the tiny community of
Westville. Other folks sat in lawn chairs in front of houses or
stood in random middle of nowhere places to witness Amtrak’s return
even if just for the day.
Enthusiasm is on display as the train passes through DeFuniak Springs
Inside dome car “Ocean View”
Supporters are visible in random rural spots such as this group between DeFuniak Springs and Chipley
In another déjà vu happening, a tremendous crowd met the inspection
train in Chipley just as they had done for the 1993 Sunset Limited
inaugural. Supporters held signs stating “Chipley Loves Amtrak”
and one man held a sign “Panama City Beach Welcomes Amtrak”. It
is worth noting that Panama City Beach is a resort area about one hour
south of Chipley. A few minutes east of Chipley we crossed the
Bay Line route from Panama City to Dothan, AL at Cottondale then
proceeded through Marianna, Grand Ridge, and Sneads. After
crossing the Apalachicola River and entering the Eastern Time Zone, the
special stopped at the yard office in Chattahoochee to pick up a relief
crew which would take over if and when our operating crew’s hours of
service expired.
Locals greet members of the Southern Rail Commission at Chipley
Support comes from Panama City Beach, an hour south of Chipley
A variety of signs are held aloft during the stop in Chipley
Speeches and media sound bites welcome Amtrak back to Chipley
Residents of Washington County crowd the Chipley station grounds as they did 13 years earlier
The author with veteran Amtrak conductor D.K. Lee
Swampland between Sneads and Chattahoochee
The Apalachicola River forms the dividing line between the Central and Eastern time zones
Amtrak’s arrival had been championed in Tallahassee media for several
days leading up to this day, yet one was left to wonder whether a large
crowd would show up. Mid afternoon on a Friday can be a tough act
in city dominated by the state capitol, two major state universities,
and a sizeable community college. On top of that, it was opening
day for the popular Florida State University baseball team and the
midpoint of the state legislative session. As the train rounded
the curve leading to the station, the answer was a resounding
“Amazing!” as a huge crowd mobbed the station grounds, lined the
right-of-way before the station, huddled on the opposite side of the
tracks, and spilled over to the old Seaboard/Seaboard Coast Line depot
across the street. A fire truck sprayed water in a high arc above
the train while a high school band and cheerleaders from Florida State
and Florida A&M Universities energized the crowd. The station
and platform area was adorned with red, white, and blue bunting
representing Tallahassee’s status as an “All American City”.
Amtrak and Commission officials agreed this was the trip’s largest
crowd, a fact that filled this writer with pride.
Approaching the Tallahassee station, these college apartments have been constructed since Amtrak last served the city
A fire truck salutes the inspection train as it arrives in Tallahassee
A terrific crowd is visible in many locations around the Tallahassee station
The Gulf Coast Inspection Train arrives in Tallahassee (Photo by Martin Balinsky)
Supporters are jammed under the platform canopy and in the driveway of the Tallahassee station
The author’s son (red shirt), his son’s wife, and friends welcome the inspection train to Tallahassee.
The grounds of the old Seaboard station host spillover from the Tallahassee crowd
A few miles east of Tallahassee the train passed beneath a hiking trail
bridge that was not in existence when Amtrak last passed this
way. At least 20 people stood on the bridge to watch the
inspection train, despite having to hike about a half mile from the
nearest parking lot. Another excited crowd gathered at Madison
where the gazebo style station looked just like it did when trains # 1
and 2 last visited in 2005. This stop was convenient for
residents of many surrounding North Florida and South Georgia towns and
the event gained attention in newspapers through the region.
Passing through woods east of Tallahassee at milepost 788
A hiking trail overpass east of Tallahassee, which did not exist when
Amtrak last served the Capitol City, is crowded with spectators
The train is welcomed through Chaires, a Leon County community east of Tallahassee
The rear view from inspection car “American View” near Greenville, FL
A monitor above the rear window displays the train’s GPS location
The track inspection car offers an excellent view of track conditions with GPS and rear camera monitors above the window
A late afternoon crowd watches Amtrak’s arrival in Madison
A show of support in Madison which also serves surrounding Florida and Georgia communities
The Madison gazebo-style depot is decorated for the special event
A young enthusiast poses with the on board crew at Madison
New Orleans rail fan Andrew Lodriguss and on board crew during the Madison stop
Passing through Live Oak 35 minutes later found another surprising
crowd lining the right-of-way as we eased by at a slow speed. The
Suwannee High School cheerleading squad could be seen among the crowd
in a display of civic pride and support for Amtrak. Soon the few
of us still aboard were summoned to the dining car for a tasty meal
prepared by a veteran dining car chef and served by City of New Orleans
lead service attendant Deanna Faucheaux. This was a nice
opportunity to experience newly renovated Viewliner I diner # 8400
which has roamed Amtrak’s eastern routes for several years as prototype
to the upcoming fleet of Viewliner II dining cars.
The author poses with Amtrak Vice President Joe McHugh
The refurbished interior of dining car 8400
The chef prepares a dish for guests to enjoy in the dining car
After the stop at Lake City where a sizeable crowd waited, the
inspection train made a beeline for Jacksonville, its final
destination. As dusk fell we passed the Olustee Battlefield, site
of a Civil War skirmish that is reenacted every spring. After
nightfall we crossed the diamonds at Baldwin where the former SAL
Baldwin cutoff today hosts a large number of freight trains traveling
from points north to downstate Florida. As the lights of downtown
Jacksonville came into view, the inspection train curved left at
Honeymoon Wye and headed straight in to the Amtrak station in the
northern suburbs at 7:19pm. Another round of remarks were made
for the benefit of the media and public assembled outside the station
then the consist was split up for return to their next
assignments.
Supporters meet the train at Jacksonville
Aside from the enthusiastic crowds there was evidence of great
potential for the region to be served by restored Amtrak service.
An overnight stay in New Orleans provided a chance to ride some of the
Crescent City’s iconic streetcars, sample the excellent Holiday Inn
Superdome hotel and its streetcar themed restaurant and stroll the
French Quarter. The Mississippi Gulf Coast gaming industry has
continued to grow and minor league baseball has moved into
Biloxi. Mobile has expanded its port city status and Atmore has
added the gaming industry at nearby Wind Creek Hotel and Casino.
Pensacola is home to the US Navy Blue Angels and the US Naval Aviation
Museum while Tallahassee is home of Florida’s state capitol and two
major universities. Jacksonville features beautiful beaches, is
headquarters for insurance companies and the CSX Railroad, and
connecting point for Amtrak trains to the northeast. Though the
inspection train didn’t venture southward, actual service would
continue to Orlando, home of Walt Disney World, Sea World, and multiple
other theme parks. In an upcoming story we will visit more of the
communities along the route of the proposed Amtrak train and provide
more suggestions for a visit to New Orleans.
The exterior of the Holiday Inn Superdome’s restaurant in New Orleans displays its streetcar motif
The interior of the restaurant at the Holiday Inn Superdome is decorated with this replica streetcar
The Holiday Inn Superdome is super convenient to New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal and area sights
The Loyola Avenue Streetcar passes the Holiday Inn Superdome and terminates near the Amtrak station
The Gulf Coast Inspection Train was a rousing success. The crowds
at each stop far exceeded anyone’s wildest dreams and the Amtrak
officials seemed genuinely impressed. The Southern Rail
Commission had worked hard to get to this point and did an outstanding
job of putting on a successful event. The hard work is not over
as now funding must be arranged and legwork must be done to keep
Amtrak, CSX, and state and local partners on board. Hopefully,
the sound of “All Aboard” will echo from the platforms in the not too
distant future, bringing passenger rail back to the Gulf Coast.
