Gulf Coast Limited

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Gulf Coast Limited
Overview
Service typeInter-city rail
StatusDiscontinued
LocaleUnited States Gulf Coast
First serviceApril 29, 1984
June 27, 1996
Last serviceJanuary 6, 1985
March 31, 1997
Former operator(s)Amtrak
Route
StartNew Orleans, Louisiana
Stops5 (1984–1985)
4 (1996–1997)
EndMobile, Alabama
Distance travelled145 miles (233 km)
Average journey time3 hours 40 minutes (1984–1985)
3 hours 10 minutes (1996–1997)
Service frequencyDaily
Train number(s)23, 24
On-board services
Class(es)Unreserved coach
Catering facilitiesCafe lounge
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Track owner(s)Seaboard System Railroad (1984–1985)
CSX Transportation (1996–1997)

The Gulf Coast Limited was a passenger train operated by Amtrak in the southern United States. It ran daily from Mobile, Alabama, to New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Route[]

The Gulf Coast Limited operated over a 145-mile (233 km) route from New Orleans to Mobile, hugging the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The majority of this route is now owned by CSX Transportation (NO&M Subdivision), save a few miles around the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal and East City Junction, which are owned by Amtrak and the Norfolk Southern Railway, respectively.[1]:ES.2

History[]

The Gulf Coast Limited was also the name of a train operated by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad between New York and the west coast of Florida.[2]:127

First iteration[]

The Gulf Coast Limited grew out of a feasibility study conducted by the Louisiana-Mississippi-Alabama Rapid Rail Transit Commission in the early 1980s. The study sought a commuter rail service centered on New Orleans linking Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Slidell, Louisiana, or Mobile, Alabama. In the end the Commission opted for a New Orleans—Mobile service, prompted in part by the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition. The three states entered into a 403(b) arrangement with Amtrak; under this provision Amtrak undertakes to operate a service but the contracting states subsidize most of the cost. The first train ran on April 29, 1984.[3][4]

In the fall Amtrak explored extending the Gulf Coast Limited from Mobile to Birmingham, Alabama (a route later served by the Gulf Breeze), but did not alter the train's route.[5] The train was popular, but service ended on January 6, 1985, after Mississippi declined to continue its support.[6]

Second iteration[]

Amtrak revived the Gulf Coast Limited on June 27, 1996, following the cancellation of the Gulf Breeze. The states of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi each contributed $185,000 for a 90-day trial run. Amtrak estimated that yearly operation would cost $3.1 million. The train used the same route as its 1984 precursor but did not stop in East New Orleans. Initial ridership was higher than expected: a standard consist could seat 134, but weekend trains regularly carried 300, against 50-60 on weekdays.[7] A federal appropriation allowed Amtrak to extend the Gulf Coast Limited six months beyond the trial period, but additional state money was not forthcoming. Service ended March 31, 1997.[8][9]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ BURK-KLEINPETER, INC. (May 2006). "Gulf Coast High-Speed Rail Corridor: New Orleans to Mobile Corridor Development Plan" (PDF). The Southern Rapid Rail Transit Commission. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
  2. ^ Turner, Gregg (2006). Florida Railroads in the 1920s. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 0-7385-4232-6.
  3. ^ Stennis, Todd. "History". Southern High-Speed Rail Commission. Archived from the original on March 16, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
  4. ^ "'Gulf Coast Limited' operation extended". Hattiesburg American. September 16, 1984. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  5. ^ "Birmingham-Mobile route to be tested by Amtrak". Gadsden Times. September 25, 1984. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
  6. ^ Herbert, H. Josef (February 18, 1985). "Amtrak tries to improve service while cutting costs". Santa Cruz Sentinel. p. 36. Retrieved October 5, 2014 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  7. ^ Russell, Kelly (October 7, 1996). "Amtrak's Gulf Coast Limited riding on borrowed time". Mississippi Business Journal  – via HighBeam Research (subscription required). Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
  8. ^ "Train of thought: Save the Gulf Coast Limited".  – via HighBeam Research (subscription required). November 1, 1996. Archived from the original on March 15, 2016. Retrieved October 28, 2012.
  9. ^ "AMTRAK TO CUT SEATTLE-CHICAGO PIONEER RAIL SERVICE". Seattle Post-Intelligencer  – via HighBeam Research (subscription required). March 21, 1997. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2012.

External links[]

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