Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran had a parting gift for the Gulf Coast before he retires from the U.S. Senate on Sunday, one that could restore passenger trains from New Orleans to Mobile.
Tucked in the $1.3 trillion omnibus legislation passed by Congress to keep the federal government operating through September are grants to restore passenger rail service, particularly to areas like the Gulf Coast that once had trains but lost service.
"We have a unique opportunity Sen. Cochran and Sen. (Roger) Wicker put together for us," said Knox Ross, vice chairman of the Southern Rail Commission.