Mardi Gras 2025 -- March 4, 2025

Omaha Bee, 07-February-1925

Happy Mardi Gras, everyone. One hundred years ago, the Illinois Central Railroad invited people in Omaha to visit New Orleans for the Mardi Gras season.

The excursion train would be parked at the station, near Lee Circle "where all parades pass." Guests could spend each night in their sleeping car.

New Orleans Mardi Gras -- February 13, 2024

Paducah News-Democrat, 12-February-1924

Happy Mardi Gras, everyone. One hundred years ago, the Illinois Central Railroad invited people in Paducah, Kentucky to visit New Orleans for the Mardi Gras season.

"The Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a pageant of unrivaled beauty and splendor, the result of carefully organized artistic effort that begins many months before the event. There are several days of magnificent parades, brilliant balls and a final day when masked throngs frolic in the streets and give the carnival its cosmopolitan and democratic character."

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and Saint Valentine's Day, so we are celebrating Valentine's Day today. 

Of Course You Are Going!! Mardi Gras at New Orleans -- March 1, 2022

Grenada, Mississippi Sentinel, 24-February-1922

Happy Mardi Gras, everyone. One hundred years ago today, the Illinois Central Railroad invited people in Grenada, Mississippi to take advantage of their "Low Excursion Fares" to New Orleans for Mardi Gras in 1922.

The Short Line to Our Paris -- March 19, 2019

Omaha Bee, 30-January-1917

World War One made it impossible for Americans to travel to Europe for holidays, so the railroads encouraged Americans to visit America.  The Illinois Central offered its Panama Limited, an overnight trip from Chicago to New Orleans.  "If you have been there before, you need no urging to go."

City of New Orleans -- February 17, 2019

The Illinois Central Railroad  published this poster to promote its service from Chicago and points south to New Orleans.  The railroad launched The City of New Orleans in 1946.  The original City was a daylight run.  The Amtrak version runs overnight.

In 1970, Steve Goodman wrote a song inspired by the train.  Arlo Guthrie had a hit with a version that was released in 1972.  I'm happy when I get this song stuck in my head.

Mardi Gras at New Orleans -- February 13, 2018

Sisterville, West Virginia Daily Oil Review, 19-January-1903

Happy Mardi Gras, everyone.  The Illinois Central Railroad invited people to take their special "Tour Service" to New Orleans for Mardi Gras season in 1903.