The Orlando, Fla., to New Orleans, La., segment of the Sunset Limited has been gone since hurricane Katrina damaged the rails of CSX Transportation, the train’s host, in 2005. But after four years of inaction, politicians and various community groups in three states have begun pressing for the train’s return. The southeast is the only part of the continental United States that lacks and east-west Amtrak line. Several routes run through Florida but they go in a north-south direction.

The damaged tracks have been repaired and CSX says it has no objections. Low ridership before Katrina has Amtrak hesitating to restart this service. In 2004, this route carried 96,246 passengers, but the following year, 2005, only 81,000 people rode this train.

Amtrak is looking to consider a restart of the Pioneer route. Pocatello, Idaho, and Cheyenne, Wyo., is having Amtrak evaluate whether to restart service on three discontinued routes. One of those lines includes the former Pioneer Route that operated between Salt Lake City, Utah and Seattle, Wash., with stops in the states of Idaho, Wyoming and Oregon. Amtrak has started a search for a consultant as step in possible restoring the Pioneer Route. I don’t know why they should spend money for a consultant when cities along this route have requested service. In the spring of this year, the city council of Pocatello voted on a resolution pertaining to the support of returning Amtrak’s Pioneer. A city council member said students from both local universities could be a viable source of future ticket holders. He also said that Jackson and Yellowstone tourists, along with those wishing to ski, could use this transportation. Winter travel in the northwest is difficult. The addition of a passenger train will make winter travel in the northwest not only safer but more convenient. The resolution passed unanimously.

The city of Cheyenne, Wyo., is also interested in restoring the old Pioneer line. The Cheyenne mayor, the economic development group called Cheyenne Leads and the Cheyenne Area Convention and Visitors Bureau say they would prefer to see passenger trains downtown at the city’s historic Union Pacific Depot. Amtrak’s Pioneer did not actually stop in Cheyenne, but at an out of the way station on the prairie six miles southwest of town.

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USA West By Train: The Complete Amtrak Travel Guide

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