Tennessee's famous Incline Railway is back in service!
Tennessee's famous and very popular Incline Railway is back in business!
In December 2024 a 10-acre forest fire on Lookout Mountain damaged a large section of the Incline Railway right-of-way. The resulting suspension of service took a toll on Chattanooga's tourism industry, especially for businesses in the St. Elmo community.
Fortunately, the Incline Railway was sufficiently insured and repairs were under way by early Spring, 2025.
We encourage TARP members and other passenger rail supporters to join the celebration and visit one of Chattanooga most famous attractions. The Incline Railway was been a vital part of Tennessee's cultural heritage since it was built in 1895.
For complete information, log on to ridetheincline.com.
In December 2024 a 10-acre forest fire on Lookout Mountain damaged a large section of the Incline Railway right-of-way. The resulting suspension of service took a toll on Chattanooga's tourism industry, especially for businesses in the St. Elmo community.
Fortunately, the Incline Railway was sufficiently insured and repairs were under way by early Spring, 2025.
We encourage TARP members and other passenger rail supporters to join the celebration and visit one of Chattanooga most famous attractions. The Incline Railway was been a vital part of Tennessee's cultural heritage since it was built in 1895.
For complete information, log on to ridetheincline.com.
Amtrak's Mardis Gras Service shows us the way
Source: Railfan & Railroad Magazine
TARP is thrilled to report the start of Amtrak's Mardis Gras service on August 18, 2025!
The service connects New Orleans and Mobile with scheduled stops on Mississippi's Gulf Coast including Pass Christian, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula on a route that hasn't been served by Amtrak since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. A coordinated bus connection to and from Baton Rouge was added as well. Tennesseans who utilize stations in Memphis, Newbern, and Fulton (KY) can connect with the route through New Orleans.
We should be inspired! The Southern Rail Commission brought together elected officials and civic leaders to work through a long and arduous process. In spite of opposition from high-ranking officials and powerful business organizations, the Commission found a way forward!
The success of the Southern Rail Commission should show Tennesseans that we too can bring passenger rail to the Volunteer State. There are ways to move forward with passenger rail projects and a variety of service and operational models to work from.
Click on the links before to read more:
https://www.travelandleisure.com/amtrak-mardi-gras-service-returns-11793491
https://railfan.com/mardi-gras-service-begins/
Here is a video link from Amtrak:
https://media.amtrak.com/2025/08/mobile-ala-back-on-the-amtrak-map-with-new-amtrak-mardi-gras-service-trains-twice-daily/
The service connects New Orleans and Mobile with scheduled stops on Mississippi's Gulf Coast including Pass Christian, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula on a route that hasn't been served by Amtrak since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. A coordinated bus connection to and from Baton Rouge was added as well. Tennesseans who utilize stations in Memphis, Newbern, and Fulton (KY) can connect with the route through New Orleans.
We should be inspired! The Southern Rail Commission brought together elected officials and civic leaders to work through a long and arduous process. In spite of opposition from high-ranking officials and powerful business organizations, the Commission found a way forward!
The success of the Southern Rail Commission should show Tennesseans that we too can bring passenger rail to the Volunteer State. There are ways to move forward with passenger rail projects and a variety of service and operational models to work from.
Click on the links before to read more:
https://www.travelandleisure.com/amtrak-mardi-gras-service-returns-11793491
https://railfan.com/mardi-gras-service-begins/
Here is a video link from Amtrak:
https://media.amtrak.com/2025/08/mobile-ala-back-on-the-amtrak-map-with-new-amtrak-mardi-gras-service-trains-twice-daily/
Amtrak Virginia Service inching closer to Bristol in 2027
Amtrak's vibrant passenger rail service in the Commonwealth of Virginia will move 38 miles closer to the Tennessee state line in 2027.
Service to Roanoke began in 2009 with a single round trip connecting Washington, DC and the Northeast Corridor services by way of Lynchburg, Virginia. The service was an instant hit, especially when expanded to a second round trip.
Civic leaders in Bristol, TN/VA long for the day when this service can be expanded into the Volunteer State. Although we have no definite plan or timeline for such an expansion, it's noteworthy that this popular service will move 38 miles closer in driving distance to Bristol. Perhaps a coordinated bus connection can be added to make the service more reasonably accessible to residents in upper East Tennessee.
Click on the link below to read more about it:
https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/intercity/passenger-service-returning-to-new-river-valley...
Service to Roanoke began in 2009 with a single round trip connecting Washington, DC and the Northeast Corridor services by way of Lynchburg, Virginia. The service was an instant hit, especially when expanded to a second round trip.
Civic leaders in Bristol, TN/VA long for the day when this service can be expanded into the Volunteer State. Although we have no definite plan or timeline for such an expansion, it's noteworthy that this popular service will move 38 miles closer in driving distance to Bristol. Perhaps a coordinated bus connection can be added to make the service more reasonably accessible to residents in upper East Tennessee.
Click on the link below to read more about it:
https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/intercity/passenger-service-returning-to-new-river-valley...
Hope for restoration of the Memphis Main Street Trolley
The Memphis City Council and the Memphis Area Transit Authority expressed confidence that the Main Street Trolley will come back in the service sooner than expected.
The steel-wheel vintage cars were taken out of service due to mechanical problems. As a temporary remedy, MATA introduces vintage-looking rubber wheel trolley buses to operate along the rail routes.
Evidently, the cost to repair the vintage rail cars will be less than expected, but the cost to operate them long term will be more than expected. We hope that a funding solution can be worked out in the near future. The Main Street Trolley is a real asset to the area's tourism industry and plays a vital role in the local economy.
Click on the following articles to read more:
https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/2025/02/04/mata-downtown-memphis-trolley-summer...
wreg.com/mata/mata-to-roll-out-rubber-wheels-on-main-st-trolleys/
https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/return-of-downtown-trolleys-could-be-sooner-cheaper-than-expected...
The steel-wheel vintage cars were taken out of service due to mechanical problems. As a temporary remedy, MATA introduces vintage-looking rubber wheel trolley buses to operate along the rail routes.
Evidently, the cost to repair the vintage rail cars will be less than expected, but the cost to operate them long term will be more than expected. We hope that a funding solution can be worked out in the near future. The Main Street Trolley is a real asset to the area's tourism industry and plays a vital role in the local economy.
Click on the following articles to read more:
https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/2025/02/04/mata-downtown-memphis-trolley-summer...
wreg.com/mata/mata-to-roll-out-rubber-wheels-on-main-st-trolleys/
https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/return-of-downtown-trolleys-could-be-sooner-cheaper-than-expected...
Accessibility updates at Newbern-Dyersburg
Federal investment improves Newbern-Dyersburg platform
NEWBERN, Tenn. – Amtrak customers can enjoy a more accessible and comfortable experience at the Newbern-Dyersburg Station with the completion of $3.5 million in upgrades. The Amtrak City of New Orleans stops twice daily while traveling between Chicago, via Carbondale, Ill., and New Orleans, via Memphis and Jackson, Miss.
“With construction, renovation, repair, and upgrade projects at stations across the country, station accessibility is a priority we’re actively pursuing with funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” said Dr. David Handera, Amtrak Vice President, Accessibility, Stations and Facilities.
“We want all of our stations to provide a welcoming and comfortable environment for every customer,” he said at a ribbon-cutting at the station in West Tennessee with state tourism commissioner Mark Ezell and Newbern Mayor Pam Mabry.
To provide smoother pathways for passengers with disabilities, Amtrak installed a new 350-foot platform with historically inclusive features integrating key elements of the 104-year-old station, which includes the Newbern Depot & Railroad Museum, an Amtrak waiting room and a grand room for public functions with the surrounding community.
Other improvements include new accessible parking, public right-of-way access with sloped accessible walkways and safety barriers, energy efficient LED light fixtures providing full-coverage lighting along the pathways and at the platform, a new wheelchair lift with secure enclosure and new signage. Much of the work was done by local sub-contractors.
This investment is part of an Amtrak commitment to creating safer, accessible facilities across the National Network through its Accessible Stations Program. Since 2011 Amtrak has made more than $870 million in upgrades at 123 stations across the country, providing a better travel experience for customers with disabilities. Another 30 stations are targeted for completion this fiscal year as Amtrak works toward 100% completion by 2029.
NEWBERN, Tenn. – Amtrak customers can enjoy a more accessible and comfortable experience at the Newbern-Dyersburg Station with the completion of $3.5 million in upgrades. The Amtrak City of New Orleans stops twice daily while traveling between Chicago, via Carbondale, Ill., and New Orleans, via Memphis and Jackson, Miss.
“With construction, renovation, repair, and upgrade projects at stations across the country, station accessibility is a priority we’re actively pursuing with funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” said Dr. David Handera, Amtrak Vice President, Accessibility, Stations and Facilities.
“We want all of our stations to provide a welcoming and comfortable environment for every customer,” he said at a ribbon-cutting at the station in West Tennessee with state tourism commissioner Mark Ezell and Newbern Mayor Pam Mabry.
To provide smoother pathways for passengers with disabilities, Amtrak installed a new 350-foot platform with historically inclusive features integrating key elements of the 104-year-old station, which includes the Newbern Depot & Railroad Museum, an Amtrak waiting room and a grand room for public functions with the surrounding community.
Other improvements include new accessible parking, public right-of-way access with sloped accessible walkways and safety barriers, energy efficient LED light fixtures providing full-coverage lighting along the pathways and at the platform, a new wheelchair lift with secure enclosure and new signage. Much of the work was done by local sub-contractors.
This investment is part of an Amtrak commitment to creating safer, accessible facilities across the National Network through its Accessible Stations Program. Since 2011 Amtrak has made more than $870 million in upgrades at 123 stations across the country, providing a better travel experience for customers with disabilities. Another 30 stations are targeted for completion this fiscal year as Amtrak works toward 100% completion by 2029.
FRA releases long-distance service study
TARP is pleased to note that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released details on an extensive study to restore former long-distance Amtrak routes and develop new routes. Tennessee and other states with growing population would benefit from the fruits of this study (if the fruit produced is the real implementation of passenger rail service!).
Indeed this is a move in the right direction. This study sees the value in passenger rail routes that connect different corridors, several states, and a multitude of city pairs. Connections to other rail routes and to bus and transit service could transform these routes into true mobility mechanisms.
We encourage you to read and reflect on the study. Give us your thoughts and feedback as well. And keep the conversation going with your elected representatives.
Here is the link to the study: fralongdistancerailstudy.org/
Indeed this is a move in the right direction. This study sees the value in passenger rail routes that connect different corridors, several states, and a multitude of city pairs. Connections to other rail routes and to bus and transit service could transform these routes into true mobility mechanisms.
We encourage you to read and reflect on the study. Give us your thoughts and feedback as well. And keep the conversation going with your elected representatives.
Here is the link to the study: fralongdistancerailstudy.org/
