Baton Rouge or Lafayette/Lake Charles

[GP35]

Would Sunset be better served by going through Baton Rouge to Beaumont or Schriever/New Iberia/Lafayette/Lake Chuck to Beaumont?

How about both. A 23 mile long track linking Lafayette and Opelousas could allow for the Sunset to serve Baton Rouge

and Lafayette/Lake Chuck. Freight railroads could benefit by spreading the west bound traffic from the nations

largest port over 2 subs instead of 1. The down side would be Amtrak losing New Iberia and Schriever and Huey P. Long bridge.

However Baton Rouge msa is pushing 800,000 pop.

 

[MrEd]

When I use the sunset, I need to go to new orleans to catch connection with crescent.

If you could direct the train through upper LA before new orleans, that would be even better.

 

[caravanman]

"Busted flat in Baton Rouge, waitin' for a train.." is a line from a Janice Joplin song. Was there a passenger service through there in the 1960's, or was it artistic licence? (She caught a truck with her mate Bobby McGee in the end...)

Ed B)

 

[had8ley]

There was service via the now infamous Kansas City Southern/Louisiana & Arkansas "Southern Belle" with a wraparound observation car bringing up the drum head.

The Texas & Pacific ran it's Louisiana section of the Texas Eagle on the west bank of the Mississipppi until 1969.

I'm not exactly sure when the IC caved in but almost positive it was in the sixties. There was a train called the Houstontonian that ran up the IC from NOL to Baton Rouge; crossed the Mississippi on the old bridge and continued all the way to Houston on the MOP. Ironically, it ended at what is now an entrance to Minute Maid park; home of the Astros. The main waiting room still stands and is nicely re-done.

 

[the_traveler]

Ironically, it ended at what is now an entrance to Minute Maid park; home of the Astros. The main waiting room still stands and is nicely re-done.

If Amtrak could serve it, would that be hitting a Home Run? :lol: :lol: (But that would mean that the SL actually was on time for a change!)

 

[had8ley]

Ironically, it ended at what is now an entrance to Minute Maid park; home of the Astros. The main waiting room still stands and is nicely re-done.

If Amtrak could serve it, would that be hitting a Home Run? :lol: :lol: (But that would mean that the SL actually was on time for a change!)

I wouldn't buy tickets based on the Sunset's punctual arrival if that's what you're asking...

 

[GP35]

The line between Baton Rouge and NOL could be upgraded and doubled. Then double from Baton Rouge to Opelousas.

Then single from Opelousas to Lafayette. Commuter trains could link NOL-BTR, also BTR-LFT. Airlines don't give LFT

direct service to it capital. Everyone benefits, UP, BNSF, Louisiana Commerce, Louisiana citizens, and passenger trains.

 

[MrEd]

In 2006 Amtrak tried tried to run a train through Baton Rouge, I never heard more about the outcome.

http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/?act=ST&f=3&t=5236

<<

Amtrak made a test run last week between Union Passenger Terminal in New Orleans and a Kansas City Southern rail station in Baton Rouge to see if the route is suitable technically for passenger service.

The state is waiting to see how much of a subsidy the venture would require, and whether federal money for it is available, said Cleo Allen, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation and Development.

Stops in St. John the Baptist and St. Charles parishes are possible, but no decisions have been made, she said.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2006-0...la-amtrak_x.htm

<<

 

[had8ley]

In 2006 Amtrak tried tried to run a train through Baton Rouge, I never heard more about the outcome.
http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/?act=ST&f=3&t=5236

<<

Amtrak made a test run last week between Union Passenger Terminal in New Orleans and a Kansas City Southern rail station in Baton Rouge to see if the route is suitable technically for passenger service.

The state is waiting to see how much of a subsidy the venture would require, and whether federal money for it is available, said Cleo Allen, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation and Development.

Stops in St. John the Baptist and St. Charles parishes are possible, but no decisions have been made, she said.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2006-0...la-amtrak_x.htm

<<

Mr. Ed;

According to locals the idea is about dead. They have a bus service called "Louisiana Swift" that FEMA picked up the entire tab for for quite some time. They ran quite a few buses back and forth. Right now they charge $5 one way~ still a bargain for a 75 mile ride.

 

[GP35]

In 2006 Amtrak tried tried to run a train through Baton Rouge, I never heard more about the outcome.
http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/?act=ST&f=3&t=5236

<<

Amtrak made a test run last week between Union Passenger Terminal in New Orleans and a Kansas City Southern rail station in Baton Rouge to see if the route is suitable technically for passenger service.

The state is waiting to see how much of a subsidy the venture would require, and whether federal money for it is available, said Cleo Allen, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation and Development.

Stops in St. John the Baptist and St. Charles parishes are possible, but no decisions have been made, she said.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2006-0...la-amtrak_x.htm

<<

Mr. Ed;

According to locals the idea is about dead. They have a bus service called "Louisiana Swift" that FEMA picked up the entire tab for for quite some time. They ran quite a few buses back and forth. Right now they charge $5 one way~ still a bargain for a 75 mile ride.

Something like that would kill it. I wonder if the buses are full.

 

[NativeSon5859]

There are currently 8 LA Swift buses every weekday between BTR and NOL, and around five on weekends. They make several stops enroute. I'm afraid this is what killed the NOL-BTR Amtrak idea. The buses are a lot nicer than Greyhounds, also.

 

[had8ley]

In 2006 Amtrak tried tried to run a train through Baton Rouge, I never heard more about the outcome.
http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/?act=ST&f=3&t=5236

<<

Amtrak made a test run last week between Union Passenger Terminal in New Orleans and a Kansas City Southern rail station in Baton Rouge to see if the route is suitable technically for passenger service.

The state is waiting to see how much of a subsidy the venture would require, and whether federal money for it is available, said Cleo Allen, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation and Development.

Stops in St. John the Baptist and St. Charles parishes are possible, but no decisions have been made, she said.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2006-0...la-amtrak_x.htm

<<

Mr. Ed;

According to locals the idea is about dead. They have a bus service called "Louisiana Swift" that FEMA picked up the entire tab for for quite some time. They ran quite a few buses back and forth. Right now they charge $5 one way~ still a bargain for a 75 mile ride.

Something like that would kill it. I wonder if the buses are full.

I've never ridden but I hear it's SRO on some trips...