Join Rock Island Rail for Mardi Gras 2022 by riding The Royal Street from Chicago, Illinois to New Orleans, Louisiana on Thursday, February 24th. The Royal Street will be pulled by Amtrak's "City of New Orleans" passenger train - the subject of Arlo Guthrie's 1972 hit song of the same name. The train will depart Chicago from Union Station at 8:05 PM Central for New Orleans. As the train departs the Windy City, a light meal will be served as à la carte. That night, you'll be sleeping in style on board the elegant Royal Street passenger car as the train makes its way southbound.
On Friday, February 25th, well-rested passengers will awaken to the sunrise at Memphis, Tennessee. Breakfast will be served and will include bacon, eggs, toast, along with a generous southern serving of biscuits and gravy. Later in the day, passengers will experience a luncheon inspired by the former Illinois Central Railroad: Shrimp Creole.
Drinks will include:
• Beer
• Milo's Southern Sweet Tea
• Soft Drinks (Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Dr. Pepper, etc.)
• Bottled Water
The train will arrive in downtown New Orleans the afternoon of February 25th (estimated arrival is 4 PM Central) where you will debark for a week's worth of Mardi Gras fun. Included in The Royal Street Mari Gras Travel Package is hotel reservations from February 25th to March 3rd at the InterContinental Hotel in downtown New Orleans which is on the parade route. Passengers will be responsible for their own transportation while in the city for Mardi Gras.
On Thursday, March 3rd, The Royal Street will ride back to Chicago behind the Amtrak "City of New Orleans" passenger train. Departure will be 1:45 PM Central. Passengers must arrive at the station no later than 12:45 PM Central for boarding.
On the journey back to the Land of Lincoln, passengers will be treated to famous Illinois Central Railroad cuisine such as:
• Potatoes romanoff
• Canapé Lorenzo
• Green bean stacks
• Fresh garden salad with a choice of Illinois Central salad dressing, ranch or Italian
Deserts will be chosen by the chef from a list of Illinois Central Railroad heritage menu.
That night, you'll sleep once more on The Royal Street and will see the sunrise on Friday, March 4th near Champaign, Illinois. Breakfast will again be served as the train continues to Chicago with an estimated arrival at Union Station of 9:15 AM Central. There, you'll debark for a final time after an unforgettable journey in our vintage railroad time machine.
