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Passenger Train Travels Through North Escambia
May 29, 2010
For the first time in decades, a passenger train made its way south through western North Escambia Friday.
Described a luxurious trip in 1940’s style, the rail tour operated by High Iron Travel started Wednesday in Columbus, Mississippi, and traveled Thursday to Fountain, Ala. It followed the Alabama & Gulf Coast Railroad line south on Friday, traveling through Atmore, Walnut Hill and Cantonment on to Pensacola.
After an overnight layover in Pensacola, the train returned north on Saturday via the same Alabama & Gulf Coast Railroad line through North Escambia to Linden, Alabama, and then to Meridan, Mississippi.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Cars in the train included the Cimarron River, a privately owned 1948 Pullman sleeping car which has been renovated with modern heating, electrical and air conditioning systems while retaining the charm and ambiance of 1940’s railroad travel. It sleeps 20 people — one person in each of 12 roomettes and two people in each of four bedrooms, which have two bunk beds. The beds all fold into the walls to provide comfortable seating during the day.
The Caritas in considered one of America’s premier art-deco private railway cars, built in 1948 by the Pullman company for the St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad. The Caritas sleeps eight guests in three double bedrooms that maintain the original configuration, while a master room has a double bed and its own shower.
The train also included the 1949 sleeper lounge Swift Stream from the New York Central’s Great Steel Fleet. The car includes six double bedrooms, shower, kitchen and pantry, art deco lounge, and dining area for 16.
The train also included the ex-Santa Fe “Great Dome” car.
The basic fare for the trip was $5,750 per person, double occupancy. The trip was a one-time event.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured: The first passenger train in decades passes through Walnut Hill Friday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
12 Responses to “Passenger Train Travels Through North Escambia”
They ride it because they want to. It is a novel experience because that particular railroad is not easily accessible by road. Most of the passengers are well advanced in age and on medication, so a mountain bike trip or similar active vacation would be out of the question. They can also afford to travel on a “rare mileage” trip which makes this trip extra special. This was the first “Revenue” passenger trip over this line in 55 years!!
Why does it cost so much??? Simple answer — LAWSUITS..
The tour had to take out Millions of dollars worth of Liability insurance to protect their considerable investment (the 4 cars themselves are priceless – 7 figures easily). The problem is not with the passengers, but with the potential idiot that the train might hit at a grade crossing. There is a lawsuit currently in progress by a person who ran through a protected crossing and then sued the railroad for something like 10 million dollars because according to the suit, the Railroad hadn’t informed the Public that Trains ran on Railroad tracks and that if you got hit by one, you might get hurt.
I never understood why trains are so danged expensive. Looked at an AmTrak trip cost lately? Outrageous!
Sure would be fun though. I make it a point to look for sales on trains every time I travel, and end up taking a plane as it costs far less and uses less time. Wish the prices would just come down…….
Money earned by hard working people and spent they way they care to spend it – wste and foolishness to one person might seem like a fit and honorable thing to another.
I watched this train ride past my house – and remarked how happy the people looked gathered at the rear car to watch the countryside go by. It brought back fond memories of train trips in my distant past – and gave me a thought that I might try such a trip again. I’ve always preferred a train to a plane, there’s just something about those wheels click-clacking down the tracks that speaks to my soul.
May God bless those that made such a trip possible. I know he blessed me as I watched it go by.
As said many times before. The difference between the men and the boys,are the price of the toys. Gee I would love to have been on that excursion.
“The basic fare for the trip was $5,750 per person, double occupancy”
SHUCKS and I MISSED it.
David missing bargains
Shucks! I was hoping the Sunset Limited was coming back to rail. I’ve completely given up on the Hummingbird.
Someone obviously has never seen the inside of one of these rolling hotels. Cramped they are not. The train was full of almost entirely retirement-age people that can do whatever they want with their money. It is, after all, their money!
They could have even stopped at the crossing at Brookwood and walked to Huddle House, McDonalds, Arby’s or other nearby eating places. Shopped Atmore northside too….
WHAT A GREAT PIECE OF HISTORY……. It would be awesome to travel on this tour.
Wow.
I wanted to RIDE that train – right up to the part about 6 Grand!
What time is the train coming through Walnut Hill?
So, a couple would have to pay over $11,000.00 to be in cramped quarters on a train to go from MS to AL, to Pensacola, FL over a period of four days. Somebody’s crazy! It’s not even like you were on a train travelling through Alaskan scenery or something. You could take a super luxury vacation to almost anywhere for that kind of money! How many paying customers were on this train ride? What a foolish waste of an awful lot of money.