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.

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/

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...

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...

We were pleased to hear from a new muti-modal transit advocacy group in upper East Tennessee!

Based out of Jefferson City, RideJC works with communities to encourage more options for working, shopping, and playing, and getting around in the Appalachian Highlands.

Multimodal transportation options allow people to travel the region while reducing congestion, improving the environment, and helping our health.

Throughout our work, RideJC employs three core pillars:

• Community: We work to build communities for all people through events like group rides, park days, and bike clinics.

• Education: We educate through discussions, classes, and publications. Through guiding such activities and providing resources, we inform others about the benefits of different transportation methods.

• Policy: Finally, we work with governments through policy to provide infrastructure and ordinances that support every person in their efforts to travel.

Ride JC is committed to helping people choose how they bike, walk, or roll their communities. Join in helping the Appalachian Highlands become more connected, sustainable, and vibrant for all people!

Click here to learn more, and be sure to subscribe to the RideJC newsletter:

https://ridejc.org/