Amtrak still on return track?

For Gulf Coast passengers, the sun set on the Sunset Limited in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Now even more "limited," the transcontinental train hasn't ventured farther east than New Orleans, even though storm-damaged infrastructure has been repaired.

With President Bush's veto threat withdrawn, the Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2008 (HR 2095), cosponsored by Rep. Allen Boyd (D-North Florida), handily passed Congress and went into law in October. The act includes a requirement that Amtrak submit a plan to Congress for restoring service between New Orleans and Sanford, Fla.

Rep. Jeff Miller (R-North Florida) previously opposed the act, but reversed his decision after Bush lifted his veto threat, and also voted in favor of it.

Before Katrina forced the service interruption, the Sunset Limited called at Crestview, as well Chipley and Tallahassee, while en route to Jacksonville.

In addition to requiring the rail passenger provider to submit a plan for restoring service to the Gulf Coast, the act directs Amtrak to give Congress a projected timeline and associated costs for reinstating the service. The act also requires Amtrak to consult with representatives from the states of Florida, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi, as well as with railroad carriers whose tracks may be used for such service, and rail passengers.

The act does not direct Amtrak to necessarily run the Sunset Limited itself through the Crestview area, but does call for restoration of passenger rail service, which could take the form of a long-discussed Gulf Coast regional train.