In anticipation of what promises to be an exciting adventure for new or experienced rail passengers, Amtrak has informed the Southern Rail Commission (SRC) and Visit Mobile that an additional coach car will be added ahead and for the duration of the Mardi Gras season. The additional capacity will begin on Friday, January 9 and extend to Monday, February 23, 2026.
The bonus coach car will be added to trains 23 and 26 of the four itineraries between Mobile and New Orleans. Train 23 departs Mobile for New Orleans daily at 6:30 a.m., and train 26 departs New Orleans for Mobile daily at 5:31 p.m.
The suggestion to request additional capacity from Amtrak for the Mardi Gras season originated at a December SRC commissioners’ meeting in Bay Saint Louis, one of six stops on the Mardi Gras Service line. David Clark, President and CEO of Visit Mobile, serves as an SRC commissioner.
“In seeing the absolute success of the Mardi Gras Service and considering Amtrak’s decision to add a car during the New Orleans Saints home games, it simply made sense for the commissioners to send this request on behalf of all Mardi Gras revelers,” said Clark. “This route is currently earning the highest ratings in customer satisfaction of any of Amtrak’s lines in the entire United States, and we are thrilled to share the Mardi Gras spirit with even more people.”
In a December 4 press release, Amtrak Board Chairman Anthony Coscia said the Mardi Gras Service is “well on-track to double the original estimate” of customers who have ridden the trains between the August launch and the end of 2025.
For more information about twice-daily, round-trip routes on the Amtrak Mardi Gras Service, pre-planned itineraries, parking, transportation and more, visit Mobile.org/Amtrak.
