Description
Don't miss the May 2026 issue of Trains magazine!
Amtrak’s Mardi Gras service
After a wait of more than a decade, passenger trains have returned to the Gulf Coast. Amtrak’s Mardi Gras service, which links Mobile, Ala., and New Orleans, is off to a fast start since its maiden trips ran in August 2025. Bob Johnston examines why the four daily trains are exceeding Amtrak’s ridership expectations in their first months of operation.
Catch a shooting star: The last run of Northstar commuter service in the Twin Cities
Correspondent Steve Glischinski was aboard the first run of the Minneapolis commuter line when it launched in 2009 — and he rode the last Northstar train in January 2026. Learn why the Northstar never rebounded from the pandemic and how it’s a cautionary tale for commuter rail nationwide.
Closing the gap: The role of aerodynamics in fuel efficiency
The shape of freight cars has changed little over the past century. Designers prioritized durability, manufacturing simplicity, and lowest cost with little to no consideration of aerodynamics. Expert Wayne Kennedy argues that Class I railroads will not be able to meet their fuel efficiency and emissions reduction goals unless the industry tackles freight train aerodynamics.
Plus: Commentary from Editor Bill Stephens, a look at technology with Brian Solomon, the latest railroad news and analysis, preservation coverage, and more.
