A train used to identify rail upgrades needed for passenger service will carry state and federal officials and railroad executives from Baton Rouge to New Orleans today.

The inspection is a necessary step for establishing passenger rail between the cities. The event also is expected to bring together key decision-makers for the planned route, including Gov. John Bel Edwards, transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson, Federal Railroad Administration head Amit Bose, and executives with Amtrak, Kansas City Southern Rail and Canadian Pacific Railway.

“Those are all of the partners that have to come together to make it happen,” says John Spain, vice chair of the Southern Rail Commission and executive vice president of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation.