Amtrak launched its Mardi Gras Service, a six-stop train line that runs from Mobile, Alabama to New Orleans for just $15 a trip.

The line won't carry the masses of commuters that use Amtrak's popular trains between Boston, New York and Washington D.C., each day: The inaugural ride carried 29 travelers on two regular passenger train cars and third car split between a cafe and business class.

Today, just after sunrise on Saturday, August 16th, I set off on the inaugural ride of Amtrak’s Mardi Gras line. The experience was stunning and rewarding. Hundreds of Mississippians packed