View source for Sunset Limited

{{Short description|Amtrak service between Los Angeles and New Orleans}}
{{About|the passenger train|the [[Cormac McCarthy]] play|The Sunset Limited (play)|the film based on the play|The Sunset Limited (film)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{italic title}}
{{Infobox rail service
| box_width   =
| name        = ''Sunset Limited''
| image       = Sunset Limited at Vail, Arizona, May 2025.jpg
| image_width = 300px
| caption     = The ''Sunset Limited'' near [[Vail, Arizona]], in 2025
| type        = [[Inter-city rail]]
| status      = <!-- Only use when line is non-operational -->
| locale      = [[Southwestern United States]]
| first       = {{Start date|1894}}
| last        =
| operator    = [[Amtrak]]
| formeroperator = [[Southern Pacific Transportation Company|Southern Pacific]] (1894–1971)
| ridership2  = {{Amtrak route ridership|Sunset Limited}}
| start       = {{Amtk|Los Angeles}}, California
| stops       = 20
| end         = {{Amtk|New Orleans}}, Louisiana
| distance    = {{convert|1995|mi|abbr=on}}
| journeytime = {{Indented plainlist|
* 45 hours, 40 minutes (eastbound)
* 46 hours, 35 minutes (westbound)<ref>{{cite web |title=Amtrak Timetable Results |url=https://www.amtrak.com/tickets/schedule-results.html |website=www.amtrak.com |access-date=December 20, 2021}}</ref>
}}
| frequency   = Three round trips per week
| trainnumber = 1 (westbound)<br /> 2 (eastbound)
| class       = Coach Class<br />First Class Sleeper Service
| access      = Train lower level, all stations
| sleeping    = {{Unbulleted list
   | Roomette (2 beds)
   | Bedroom (2 beds)
   | Bedroom Suite (4 beds)
   | Accessible Bedroom (2 beds)
   | Family Bedroom (4 beds)
   }}
| catering    = [[Superliner (railcar)#Dining cars|Dining car]], [[Superliner (railcar)#Lounges|Café]]
| observation = [[Superliner (railcar)#Lounges|Sightseer lounge car]]
| baggage     = Overhead racks, checked baggage available at selected stations
| stock       = [[Superliner (railcar)|Superliner]]
| gauge       = {{Track_gauge|ussg|allk=on}}
| speed       = {{Convert|44|mph|abbr=on}} ({{Tooltip|avg.|average speed (including stops)}})<br />{{Convert|79|mph|abbr=on}} ({{Tooltip|top|top speed}})
| owners      = [[Union Pacific Railroad|UP]], [[BNSF Railway|BNSF]]
| map         = {{switcher
|{{maplink-road|id=Q906130}}
|Show interactive map
|{{Sunset Limited}}
|Show route diagram map
}}
| map_state   = 
}}
The '''''Sunset Limited''''' is a [[Amtrak Long Distance|long-distance]] [[passenger train]] run by [[Amtrak]], operating on a {{convert|1995|mi|adj=on}} route between [[New Orleans]] and [[Los Angeles]]. Major stops include [[Houston]], [[San Antonio]] and [[El Paso]] in Texas, as well as [[Tucson|Tucson, Arizona]]. Opening in 1894 through the [[Southern Pacific Transportation Company|Southern Pacific Railroad]], the ''Sunset Limited'' is the oldest continuously operating [[named train]] in the United States.

With three round-trip journeys per week, the ''Sunset Limited'' is tied with the [[Cardinal (train)|''Cardinal'']] for the lowest frequency of any regularly scheduled Amtrak route. Each end-to-end journey takes about two days. West of San Antonio, the train runs combined with the ''[[Texas Eagle]]''.

From 1993 to 2005, the ''Sunset Limited'' operated an extended service to [[Florida]], terminating in Miami from 1993 to 1996 and in Orlando for most of 1996 through 2005, and becoming Amtrak's longest and only [[transcontinental railroad|coast-to-coast train route]]. Major stops between New Orleans and Miami included [[Mobile, Alabama|Mobile]] ([[Alabama]]), Tallahassee, [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]], and Orlando (Florida).<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 February 2000 |title=Amtrak Sunset Limited 1993 Route Guide |url=http://www.trainweb.com/routes/route_01/sunsetlimited_1993.html |access-date=3 June 2024 |website=TrainWeb.com}}</ref> However, the route east of New Orleans was permanently halted in the aftermath of [[Hurricane Katrina]]. There have been attempts to re-extend the service back to Florida but have stalled mainly due to administrative and political obstacles.<ref name="narprail">{{Cite news |url=http://www.narprail.org/cms/index.php/news_releases/more/nr06_06 |title=Release 06-06: NARP Urges Resumption of New Orleans-Florida Rail Service |date=May 3, 2006 |access-date=December 29, 2008 |publisher=[[National Association of Railroad Passengers]] |archive-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227141223/http://www.narprail.org/cms/index.php/news_releases/more/nr06_06 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.progressiverailroading.com/amtrak/news/Southern-states-miss-funding-deadline-to-restore-Amtraks-Gulf-Coast-service--54959 |title=Southern states miss funding deadline to restore Amtrak's Gulf Coast service |website=Progressive Railroading |date=June 22, 2018 |access-date=October 10, 2018}}</ref> Amtrak restored service from New Orleans to Mobile in the form of the ''[[Mardi Gras Service]]'' in August 2025.

==History==
{{SP Sunset Limited|collapse=y}}
[[File:Sunset Limited Southern Pacific circa 1910.JPG|thumb|The ''Sunset Limited'' {{circa|1910}}]]
[[File:Sunset Express Southern Pacific Railroad.JPG|thumb|Early depiction of the train at [[Yuma, Arizona]]]]
[[File:Marsh Station Bridge Pima County Arizona 1921.jpg|thumb|The train crossing [[Ciénega Creek]] near [[Vail, Arizona]], in 1921]]

===Southern Pacific===
Before the start of [[Amtrak]] on May{{nbsp}}1, 1971, the ''Sunset Limited'' was operated by the [[Southern Pacific Railroad]]. The ''Sunset Limited'' is the oldest named train in the United States, operating since November 1894 along the [[Sunset Route]] (though originally named the ''Sunset Express''). The Sunset Route (originating in New Orleans) is the southernmost of the three gateways to the West Coast envisioned through the [[Pacific Railroad Acts]]. The other two embarked from [[Chicago]] and [[St. Louis]]. However, the Sunset Route had two major advantages over the other two routes. It was an all-weather, year-round route that did not face the crippling snows of the Wasatch or Sierra mountain ranges to reach the Pacific Coast. Additionally, the other two routes had to assault the front range of the Rockies.

In addition, opened 20 years before the [[Panama Canal]], the Sunset Route vastly shortened the time to reach the West Coast from the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, as New Orleans was already an established seaport for Atlantic shipping lines’ passengers, seeking to reach the US interior. The Sunset Limited allowed passengers to reach the West Coast in a few days, not weeks.

The ''Sunset Limited'' was Southern Pacific's premier train.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BsRvIUwLwFwC |title=The Southern Pacific, 1901–1985 |last=Hofsummer |first=Don L. |publisher=[[Texas A&M University Press]] |year=2009 |pages=170|isbn=9781603441278 }}</ref> Initially, the ''Sunset Limited'' was an all-[[Pullman (car or coach)|Pullman]] train, with sleeping cars and no coaches, running from New Orleans to [[San Francisco]] via Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wx4.org/to/foam/sp/maps/and_timetables/1921-01SP_systemPTT.pdf |title=Local and Through Passenger Time Tables|publisher=Southern Pacific |via=wx4's Dome of Foam |access-date=April 17, 2021 |page=10}}</ref> From its beginning in 1894, until streamlining in 1950, all the train's cars had 6-wheel [[bogie|trucks]] and dark olive green paint, with black roofs and trucks. In the summer of 1926, it was scheduled at 71 hr 40 min New Orleans to San Francisco; it then carried a coast-to-coast sleeper from Jacksonville to Los Angeles.

The San Francisco–Los Angeles portion of the ''Sunset Limited'' was cut on January 5, 1942. The cut was intended to last only several months to allow for equipment overhaul, but became permanent.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/carpinteria-herald/143867109/ |title=Discontinue Two Southern Pacific Trains |newspaper=Carpinteria Herald |date=January 2, 1942 |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> On June 2, 1949, the Southern Pacific introduced faster schedules on several named trains. The ''Sunset Limited'' was reduced to {{frac|49|3|4}} hours eastbound and 48 hours westbound.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/valley-times/143866630/ |title=Southern Pacific is happy to announce plans for Two streamlined trains Los Angeles–Chicago! [advertisement] |author=Southern Pacific Railroad |newspaper=Valley Times |date=April 29, 1946 |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

In contrast to its earliest Amtrak years,<ref>Amtrak national timetable, May 1, 1971, Table 26 http://www.timetables.org/browse/?group=19710501&item=0027</ref> the ''Sunset Limited'', up to its later years, made stops not only at Phoenix, but also at [[Mesa, Arizona|Mesa]] and [[Chandler, Arizona]].<ref>{{cite journal |title=Southern Pacific Lines, Table 1|journal=Official Guide of the Railways |publisher=National Railway Publication Company |volume=101 |issue=1 |date=June 1968}}</ref>

===Amtrak===
[[Amtrak]] assumed operation of most intercity passenger train routes in the United States on May{{nbsp}}1, 1971, including those of the Southern Pacific. Amtrak retained the ''Sunset Limited'' and initially left its route unchanged.

On October{{nbsp}}2, 1981, Amtrak began operating the Chicago-bound ''Eagle'' (known as the ''[[Texas Eagle]]'' since 1988) in conjunction with the ''Sunset Limited''. The routes operate as one train between Los Angeles and [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]].

====Extension to Florida====
The [[Louisville and Nashville Railroad]] had operated the ''[[Gulf Wind]]'' between New Orleans and [[Jacksonville, Florida]], from 1949 to 1971, when Amtrak did not include the route in its initial system.<ref name=romance /> The corridor saw limited service over the next two decades: from 1984 to 1985 the ''[[Gulf Coast Limited]]'' ran between New Orleans and [[Mobile, Alabama]], and from 1989 to 1995 the ''[[Gulf Breeze (train)|Gulf Breeze]]'' served the segment between Mobile and [[Atmore, Alabama]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}}

On April{{nbsp}}4, 1993, Amtrak extended the ''Sunset Limited'' east to Miami. The train followed the former route of the ''Gulf Wind'' between New Orleans and Jacksonville, restoring service on that corridor, and used the route of Amtrak's ''[[Silver Meteor]]'' south of Jacksonville.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wagster |first1=Emily |title=All Aboard! Sunset Limited on a Roll |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-sunset-limited-april-1/63734098/ |work=[[The Clarion-Ledger]] |date=April 1, 1993 |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/clarion-ledger-sunset-limited-part-2-ap/63734176/ A11]|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=romance>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post/177896912/ |title=Miami to LA: Rail romance revived on route |first=Siobhan |last=Morrissey |newspaper=The Palm Beach Post: Martin/St. Lucie |date=March 29, 1993 |pages=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post/177897020/ 3B] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> On November 10, 1996, the ''Sunset Limited'' was cut back to terminate in [[Sanford, Florida]], as part of systemwide cuts. This also allowed the Superliner rolling stock to be maintained along with the {{lnl|Amtrak|Auto Train}} stock at {{amtk|Sanford}}.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-palm-beach-post/177902923/ |title=Amtrak saves $200 million by cutting, adding routes |newspaper=The Palm Beach Post |date=August 9, 1996 |page=12 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune/177902958/ |first=Ted |last=Jackovics |title=Bus ride gets longer before all aboard Amtrak |newspaper=The Tampa Tribune: Pinellas |date=November 4, 1996 |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tampa-tribune/177903133/ 4] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>  The train was re-extended to Orlando on October{{nbsp}}26, 1997.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sun-herald/177901048/ |title=Amtrak restores Orlando service |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=Sun Herald |date=August 15, 1997 |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

====1990s incidents====
[[File:Sunset Limited Big Bayout Canot.png|thumb|On September 22, 1993, the ''Sunset Limited'' [[Big Bayou Canot rail accident|fell into water]] from a [[swing bridge]] that had been knocked out of alignment and had its rails deformed by a row of barges colliding with it. 47 people were killed in the accident.]]
On September{{nbsp}}22, 1993, the three locomotives and four of the eight cars of the eastbound ''Sunset Limited'' derailed and fell off a damaged bridge into water near [[Mobile, Alabama]]. Known as the [[Big Bayou Canot rail accident]], the incident is Amtrak's worst [[train wreck]] and resulted in 47 deaths.<ref name="RA">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Pages/RAR9401.aspx|title=Derailment of Amtrak Train NO. 2 on the CSXT Big Bayou Canot Bridge Accident Report|date=September 19, 1994|publisher=[[National Transportation Safety Board]]|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318075400/https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Pages/RAR9401.aspx|archive-date=March 18, 2021}}</ref>

On October{{nbsp}}9, 1995, in an event known as the [[1995 Palo Verde, Arizona, derailment|Palo Verde derailment]], saboteurs derailed the ''Sunset Limited'' near [[Harqua, Arizona]], by removing 29 spikes from a section of track, and short-circuited the signal system to conceal the sabotage. The attack killed one person and injured dozens of others. The crime still remains unsolved.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/US/9510/amtrak/ |title=At least one dead, 100-plus injured in Amtrak derailment |date=October 9, 1995 |access-date=May 24, 2007 |publisher=CNN}}</ref>

====Bypassing of Phoenix====
On June{{nbsp}}2, 1996, the ''Sunset Limited'' was rerouted to a more southerly route between [[Tucson, Arizona|Tucson]], and [[Yuma, Arizona]], bypassing [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pitzi |first1=Mary Jo |title=End of the line |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-end-of-the-line/175656176/ |access-date=1 July 2025 |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |date=June 3, 1996 |location=Phoenix, Arizona |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-amtrak-runs-through/175656325/ 5] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> [[Union Pacific Railroad|Union Pacific]], which had acquired Southern Pacific earlier in the year, wanted to abandon a decaying portion of its [[Phoenix Subdivision (Union Pacific Railroad)|Phoenix–Yuma "West Line"]], particularly the Roll Industrial Lead, that had previously been used to serve Phoenix, due to deteriorating track conditions and very light freight traffic. By then the ''Sunset Limited'' was almost the only train using the Wellton Branch, and service was slow and bumpy along this worn-out section.<ref name="RailPAC">{{Cite web |date= November 22, 2022 |title=The Curious Case of the Union Pacific's Wellton Branch: Opportunity in the 'Phoenix West Line' |language=en-US |work=RailPAC: Rail Passenger Association of CA & NV |url=https://www.railpac.org/2022/11/21/the-curious-case-of-the-union-pacifics-wellton-branch-opportunity-in-the-phoenix-west-line/ |access-date=December 16, 2024}}</ref> The main freight customer was the [[United States Department of Energy|Dept. of Energy]] which used the alignment to transport equipment spent commercial nuclear fuel from the [[Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station]], but after the 1995 sabotage, this was deemed too insecure,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bickford |first1=Erica |title=Building Public Understanding of Operations and Public Safety of SNF Transport by Rail in the United States |journal=US Dept of Energy, Conference Paper |date=2019 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/figure/A-hypothetical-rail-route-from-the-Palo-Verde-Generating-Station-on-the-Union-Pacific_fig2_350323654}}</ref> leaving Amtrak the only regular customer.

UP demanded that Amtrak pay for the maintenance,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Bob |date=2024-02-27 |title=FRA releases long-distance study interim report, invites comments |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/fra-releases-long-distance-study-interim-report-invites-comments/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229024119/https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/fra-releases-long-distance-study-interim-report-invites-comments/ |archive-date=29 February 2024 |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=[[Trains magazine|Trains]] |language=en-US}}</ref> and Amtrak, in an attempt to avoid the rerouting, requested assistance from the State of Arizona to make funds available to repair the Wellton cutoff tracks, to which the State refused to provide the funds Amtrak requested.<ref name="RailPAC"/>

Thus by June 1996, the ''Sunset Limited'' was bypassing Phoenix, and UP promptly put the {{convert|64|mi|km|adj=on}} midsection of the Wellton cutoff out of service. This made Phoenix one of the nation's largest cities without direct passenger service; although the designated [[Maricopa station|Phoenix-area stop]] is in [[Maricopa, Arizona|Maricopa]], a suburban community about {{convert|40|mi}} south of downtown Phoenix. [[Amtrak Thruway]] service, run by Stagecoach Express, connects the two cities.<ref name="schedule">{{Cite web |url=https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/timetables/Sunset-Limited-Schedule-110319.pdf|title=Sunset Limited Schedule; Effective November 3, 2019 |date=November 3, 2019 |website=Amtrak |access-date=January 29, 2020}}</ref>

====Hurricane Katrina====
On August{{nbsp}}29, 2005, the ''Sunset Limited'' route was truncated east of [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]], as a result of damage to trackage in the Gulf Coast area caused by [[Hurricane Katrina]]. In late October 2005, service was restored between San Antonio and [[New Orleans]], as the line through [[Louisiana]] had been repaired. Service east of New Orleans was suspended permanently despite [[CSX Transportation]] completing repairs on the trackage in January 2006.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Holland |first=Gary |date=January 24, 2006 |title=Rail Safety Officials: Look, Listen, Live |page=A5 |work=[[Sun Herald]] |url=https://0-infoweb-newsbank-com.countycat.mcfls.org/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=0D8DE8DE83992E4A&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F10F6517A70A90FD0 |url-access=registration |access-date=December 4, 2023 |via=[[NewsBank]]}}</ref>

====Recent years====
The ''Sunset Limited'' received a modified schedule on May{{nbsp}}7, 2012, moving its westbound movements from New Orleans to a Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday circuit. The times allow several 7- to 12-hour rides between major-city pairs; for example, overnight between Tucson or Maricopa (for Phoenix) and Los Angeles in both directions.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.railpac.org/2012/03/15/amtrak-changes-the-sunset-limited-schedule-positives-negatives-and-they-agreed-to-what/ |title=Amtrak changes the Sunset Limited schedule: Positives, Negatives, and they agreed to WHAT? |date=March 15, 2012 |access-date=May 7, 2018}}</ref>

While most Amtrak trains saw service reductions in 2020–2022 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic]], the ''Sunset Limited'' and its existing sub-daily schedule were not affected.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lazo |first1=Luz |title=Amtrak is ending daily service to hundreds of stations. Blame the coronavirus pandemic, the railroad says. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2020/06/16/amtrak-is-ending-daily-service-hundreds-stations-blame-coronavirus-pandemic-railroad-says/ |access-date=March 25, 2023 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=June 16, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Alan |first1=David Peter |title=Amtrak Update: Most L-D Trains Back on Track |url=https://www.railwayage.com/news/amtrak-update-most-l-d-trains-back-on-track/ |access-date=March 25, 2023 |work=Railway Age |date=October 12, 2022}}</ref> The ''Texas Eagle'' was reduced to tri-weekly from October 2020 and May 2021, temporarily matching the ''Sunset Limited''.

On December 8, 2022, Amtrak filed a complaint with the [[Surface Transportation Board]] (STB) against the [[Union Pacific Railroad]] alleging that the poor on-time performance of the ''Sunset Limited'' was due to issues that Union Pacific could avoid.<ref name=stbsettle /> On July 11, 2023, the STB announced that it was opening an investigation into the matter.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Luczak |first1=Marybeth |title=STB Initiates 'First of its Kind' Investigation Into Amtrak's Sunset Limited On-Time Performance |url=https://www.railwayage.com/regulatory/stb-initiates-first-of-its-kind-investigation-into-amtraks-sunset-limited-on-time-performance/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714145315/https://www.railwayage.com/regulatory/stb-initiates-first-of-its-kind-investigation-into-amtraks-sunset-limited-on-time-performance/ |archive-date=July 14, 2023 |work=Railway Age |date=July 12, 2023}}</ref> Amtrak and Union Pacific settled the case in July 2025.<ref name=stbsettle>{{cite web |url=https://dcms-external.s3.amazonaws.com/DCMS_External_PROD/1753995481239/309844.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250801205801/https://dcms-external.s3.amazonaws.com/DCMS_External_PROD/1753995481239/309844.pdf |archive-date=August 1, 2025 |title=Amtrak Notification of Settlement and Motion for Dismissal of Complaint and Termination of Investigation |series=Docket No. NOR 42175: Complaint and Petition of the National Railroad Passenger Corp. Under 49 U.S.C. § 24308(f)–For Substandard Performance of Amtrak's Sunset Limited Trains 1 and 2 |publisher=Surface Transportation Board |author=((National Railroad Passenger Corporation)) |date=July 31, 2025}}</ref>

==Proposed expansion==

===Re-extension to Florida===
[[File:Chipley FL for Wikipedia Sunset Limited page.jpg|thumb|Amtrak's ''Return to Service Special'' arrives in [[Chipley, Florida]], on February 19, 2016.]]
As time has passed, particularly since the January 2006 completion of the rebuilding of damaged tracks east of New Orleans by their owner [[CSX Transportation]], the obstacles to restoration of the ''Sunset Limited''{{'s}} full route have been more managerial and political than physical. Advocates for the train's restoration have pointed to revenue figures for Amtrak's fiscal year 2004, the last full year of coast-to-coast ''Sunset Limited'' service. During that period, the [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]]–New Orleans segment accounted for 41% of the ''Sunset''{{'s}} revenue.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.narprail.org/cms/index.php/news_releases/more/nr06_06 |title=Release 06-06: NARP Urges Resumption of New Orleans-Florida Rail Service |date=May 3, 2006 |access-date=December 29, 2008 |publisher=[[National Association of Railroad Passengers]] |archive-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227141223/http://www.narprail.org/cms/index.php/news_releases/more/nr06_06 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Section 226 of the [[Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008]], signed into law by President George W. Bush on October{{nbsp}}16, 2008, gave Amtrak nine months to provide Congress with a plan for restoring service that "shall include a projected timeline for restoring such service, the costs associated with restoring such service, and any proposals for legislation necessary to support such restoration of service."<ref name="hr2095">{{USStatute|110|432|122|4848|2008|October|16|HR|2095}}</ref>

In January 2016, Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission announced jointly that a [[Gulf Coast of the United States|Gulf Coast]] [[Train#Passenger trains|passenger rail]] inspection trip was to be made from [[New Orleans]] to [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]], with elected officials among those on board during the February 18–19 excursion. Stops were planned for all of the stations formerly part of the ''Sunset Limited''{{'s}} route between those two cities.<ref>{{Cite press release |date=January 25, 2016 |url=https://media.amtrak.com/2016/01/amtrak-and-southern-rail-commission-to-host-an-inspection-train-across-gulf-coast/ |title=Amtrak and Southern Rail Commission to Host an Inspection Train Across Gulf Coast |access-date=February 13, 2016 |archive-date=May 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508185417/https://media.amtrak.com/2016/01/amtrak-and-southern-rail-commission-to-host-an-inspection-train-across-gulf-coast/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In June 2018, the commission missed the deadline for submitting a request for service restoration along the Gulf. It said that it could not apply for the [[Federal Railroad Administration]]'s (FRA) fiscal-year 2017 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure Safety and Improvements (CRISI) funding because Alabama and Mississippi were unwilling to assist with funds. Alabama's share would have been $5.3{{nbsp}}million. The Louisiana governor, on the other hand, was willing to provide the funds. The three states' cooperation was needed to secure the $35.5{{nbsp}}million in federal CRISI funds.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.progressiverailroading.com/amtrak/news/Southern-states-miss-funding-deadline-to-restore-Amtraks-Gulf-Coast-service--54959 |title=Southern states miss funding deadline to restore Amtrak's Gulf Coast service |website=Progressive Railroading |date=June 22, 2018 |access-date=October 10, 2018}}</ref>

====New Gulf Coast service====
{{main|Mardi Gras Service}} 
On February&nbsp;23, 2021, following the conclusion of one year of negotiations with CSX and [[Norfolk Southern Railway|Norfolk Southern]], Amtrak officials announced that a new Gulf Coast corridor service between New Orleans and Mobile would start as early as January 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Amtrak official: Gulf Coast service starting in 2022 |url=https://www.al.com/news/2021/02/amtrak-official-gulf-coast-service-starting-in-2022.html |access-date=March 9, 2021 |work=AL.com |date=February 24, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Amtrak plans to pay for repairs along the route.<ref>{{cite news |title=Amtrak to pay for repairs along Gulf Coast route |url=https://www.al.com/news/2021/03/amtrak-to-pay-for-repairs-at-train-stops-along-gulf-coast-route.html |access-date=March 9, 2021 |work=al |date=March 5, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> In late 2022, with lengthy negotiations with Amtrak, Norfolk Southern, and CSX expected, the Gulf Coast service was projected to begin sometime in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Weinberg |first1=Harrison |title=Gulf Coast service to begin sometime in 2023, Amtrak says |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/gulf-coast-service-to-begin-sometime-in-2023-amtrak-says/ |website=Trains |date=December 12, 2022 |access-date=December 12, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Weinberg |first1=Harrison |title=Agreement Reached in Amtrak Gulf Coast Dispute |url=https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/intercity/agreement-reached-in-amtrak-gulf-coast-dispute/?RAchannel=passenger |website=Railway Age |date=November 23, 2022 |publisher=David Peter Alan |access-date=December 12, 2022}}</ref> However, in early August 2023, it was reported that an agreement between Amtrak, CSX, and the city of Mobile on the design and construction of the station there had not yet been reached, and that the service was now not expected to start until the first quarter of 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kirby |first1=Brendan |title=Mississippi cities ready with Amtrak platforms, while key details remain unresolved in Mobile |url=https://www.fox10tv.com/2023/08/02/mississippis-costal-cities-ready-with-train-platforms-while-key-details-remain-unresolved-mobile/ |access-date=August 4, 2023 |work=Fox 10 News |date=August 3, 2023}}</ref> In late August, the working name of the train was reported to be ''Mardi Gras Service''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kirby |first1=Brendan |title=Planned Gulf Coast train to be named after Mardi Gras, tourism official says |url=https://www.fox10tv.com/2023/08/29/planned-gulf-coast-train-be-named-after-mardi-gras-tourism-official-says/ |access-date=August 29, 2023 |work=Fox 10 News |date=August 29, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> By January 2025, Amtrak planned to have service operational in June 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |author=WLOX Staff |date=2025-01-16 |title=Amtrak now expected to begin Gulf Coast passenger rail service in June |url=https://www.wlox.com/2025/01/16/amtrak-now-expected-begin-gulf-coast-passenger-rail-service-june/ |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=WLOX |language=en}}</ref> On July 1, 2025, Amtrak announced that the ''Mardi Gras Service'' would begin service on August 18, 2025, with two daily round-trips.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=July 1, 2025 |title=Book Now for Amtrak Mardi Gras Service starting August 18 |url=https://media.amtrak.com/2025/07/book-now-for-amtrak-mardi-gras-service-starting-august-18/ |access-date=August 18, 2025 |website=Amtrak Media}}</ref>

====Restoration of the Florida Panhandle Service====
In terms of the rest of the route for the restoration of Florida Panhandle service, Amtrak stated that their "focus has been on restoring service from New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama," and they would be "willing to explore such service [on the Florida Panhandle] with the state’s financial support."<ref>{{cite web |title=Amtrak Public Board Meeting Public QA, December 1, 2022 |url=https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/corporate/board-meetings/Amtrak-Board-of-Directors-Meeting-120122-Public-QA.pdf |access-date=January 30, 2023 |website=amtrak.com |publisher=Amtrak}}</ref> Meanwhile, the [[Florida Department of Transportation]] stated that they would support service restoration "as long as the restored service is a [[Long-distance Amtrak routes|National Network long-distance train]] that will not require a future annual operating subsidy from state sponsors."<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 2023 |title=Passenger Rail Corridor Assessment |url=https://fdotwww.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/rail/plans/rail/rail-corridor-assessment/fdot_passenger_rail_corridor_assessment_report.pdf?sfvrsn=4c7938d2_4 |access-date=December 8, 2024 |website=fdot.gov}}</ref> The mayors and city councils of [[Pensacola, Florida|Pensacola]], [[Tallahassee, Florida|Tallahassee]], and [[Lake City, Florida|Lake City]] have shown much interest in resuming the service. The corridor would eventually need to be upgraded for speeds greater than {{convert|45|mph}}, and some of the stations require refurbishment or replacement.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Perez |first=Mary |date=January 3, 2023 |title=Want to take a train from New Orleans to Miami? Amtrak has 'big time' plans for FL. |work=Sun Herald |url=https://www.sunherald.com/news/business/article270584112.html |access-date=March 8, 2023}}</ref>

===Daily service===
In 2009, Brian Rosenwald, a now-departed Amtrak executive, outlined ideas for a complete overhaul of the route, including daily service.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.railpac.org/2009/06/11/sunset-limited-marketing-meeting/ |title=Sunset Limited Marketing Meeting |date=June 11, 2009 |publisher=RailPAC |access-date=January 26, 2014}}</ref> It was to have the ''[[Texas Eagle]]'' operate over the ''Sunset Limited''{{'s}} route west of [[San Antonio]], with a stub train connecting San Antonio (with a cross-platform transfer) and [[New Orleans]]. The plans were halted when [[Union Pacific Railroad|Union Pacific]] stated that to get a daily ''Sunset Limited'', Amtrak would need to pay $750{{nbsp}}million for infrastructure improvements.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=December 2010 |title=The ''Sunset Limited'' and the Future of the Passenger Train |magazine=[[Trains (magazine)|Trains]] |pages=14–15}}</ref>

Passenger totals would double with daily service, according to the PRIIA study that looked at ''Texas Eagle''/''Sunset Limited'' service. It forecast an incremental improvement of more than 100,000 passengers from the daily service, which is already running in excess of 100,000 a year.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://trn.trains.com/~/media/files/pdf/ssettxeaglepipsec210priia9-30-10.pdf |title=PRIIA Section 210 FY10 Sunset Limited/Texas Eagle Performance Improvement Plan |date=September 2010 |access-date=May 8, 2018 |archive-date=May 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508121741/http://trn.trains.com/~/media/files/pdf/ssettxeaglepipsec210priia9-30-10.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the meantime, the Union Pacific has double-tracked much of the route with its own money. However, Amtrak still lacks the equipment and funds needed to move to daily service.

In June 2021, Senator [[Jon Tester]] of [[Montana]] added an amendment to the Surface Transportation Investment Act of 2021 which would require the [[United States Department of Transportation|U.S. Department of Transportation]] (not Amtrak itself) to evaluate daily service on all less-frequent long-distance trains, meaning the ''Sunset Limited'' and ''[[Cardinal (train)|Cardinal]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Manchin Secures Language To Evaluate Ways To Restore Cardinal Train Daily Service Through West Virginia |url=https://www.manchin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/manchin-secures-language-to-evaluate-ways-to-restore-cardinal-train-daily-service-through-west-virginia |website=www.manchin.senate.gov |access-date=July 27, 2021 |language=en |date=June 16, 2021}}</ref> The bill passed the [[United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation|Senate Commerce Committee]] with bipartisan support,<ref>{{cite web |title=Key Policy Victories in Senate Rail Title |url=https://www.railpassengers.org/happening-now/news/blog/key-policy-victories-in-senate-rail-title/ |website=www.railpassengers.org |publisher=Rail Passengers Association |access-date=July 27, 2021 |language=en |date=June 16, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Luczak |first1=Marybeth |title=Senate Commerce Committee's Bipartisan $78B Surface Transportation Bill Advances |url=https://www.railwayage.com/news/senate-commerce-committees-bipartisan-78b-surface-transportation-bill-advances/ |access-date=July 27, 2021 |work=Railway Age |date=June 17, 2021}}</ref> and was later rolled into [[Joe Biden|President Biden's]] [[Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act]] (IIJA), which Congress passed on November{{nbsp}}5, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=What's in the Investment in Infrastructure and Jobs Act (IIJA)? |url=https://www.railpassengers.org/happening-now/news/blog/whats-in-the-investment-in-infrastructure-and-jobs-act-iija/ |website=www.railpassengers.org |publisher=Rail Passengers Association |access-date=November 11, 2021 |language=en |date=November 8, 2021}}</ref> The report is known as the [[Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study]] and must be delivered to Congress within two years.<ref>{{cite web |title=Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr3684/BILLS-117hr3684enr.pdf |access-date=November 11, 2021 |pages=285–256}}</ref>

In June 2023, Amtrak submitted an application for a federal grant to increase ''Sunset Limited'' service to operate daily.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Kyle |date=June 5, 2023 |title=Amtrak Applies for Federal Grants to Improve Long Distance Network |url=https://media.amtrak.com/2023/06/amtrak-applies-for-federal-grants-to-improve-long-distance-network/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522100545/https://media.amtrak.com/2023/06/amtrak-applies-for-federal-grants-to-improve-long-distance-network/ |archive-date=May 22, 2024 |access-date=June 5, 2023 |website=Amtrak Media |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Return to Phoenix===

[[File:AmtrakAtPhoenix2001.jpg|thumb|300px|Amtrak charter train at [[Phoenix Union Station]] {{Circa|2001}}]]

{{switcher
  |{{maplink|from=Phoenix_Subdivision_(UP).map|frame=yes|text= Phoenix Subdivision (UP), black: Inactive Portion blue: [[Gila Subdivision]] orange: [[Phoenix Subdivision (BNSF Railway)|Phoenix Subdivision (BNSF)]]}}
  |Show interactive map
  |{{UP Phoenix Subdivision}}
  |Show diagram map
  }}

Since its Wellton branch closure, officials have intermittently considered different options for how to reopen the line and restore Sunset Limited direct passenger service to Phoenix and potentially launching intercity service to LA. In 2009, the [[Arizona Department of Transportation]] (ADOT) requested federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to help restore the Wellton Branch and bring the ''Sunset Limited'' back to Phoenix but was unsuccessful. In 2014, ADOT hired the consultants URS to do a more in-depth Wellton Branch rehabilitation study. The study was commissioned by ADOT in an effort to understand the existing condition of the Wellton Branch and to develop improvement scenarios and capital cost estimates for freight and passenger rail service between Arlington and Wellton, a distance of {{Convert|90.8|mi}}.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014 |title=Wellton Branch Rail Rehabilitation Study |url=https://azdot.gov/planning/transportation-programs/state-rail-plan/wellton-branch-rail-rehabilitation-study |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228063221/https://azdot.gov/planning/transportation-programs/state-rail-plan/wellton-branch-rail-rehabilitation-study |archive-date=2024-02-28 |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=[[ADOT]]}}</ref> In that study, it was determined that light freight demand along the Wellton Branch line/Phoenix Subdivision does not warrant reopening the Wellton Branch and that reopening this corridor solely for passenger service is not cost effective, although if freight demand increased, phased rehabilitation made sense. It also recommended that the State seek to identify and develop freight opportunities for the Wellton Branch.<ref name=":0"/><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=March 2014 |title=Wellton Branch Railroad Rehabilitation Study - 2014 Final Report |url=https://azdot.gov/sites/default/files/media/2021/12/ADOT-Wellton-Branch-Study-Final-Report.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240330130036/https://azdot.gov/sites/default/files/media/2021/12/ADOT-Wellton-Branch-Study-Final-Report.pdf |archive-date=2024-03-30 |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=[[ADOT]]}}</ref><ref name="RailPAC"/>

{| class="wikitable"
|+Results of ADOT's Wellton Branch Railroad Rehabilitation Study<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
!
![[Rail speed limits in the United States#Track classes|Track grade]]
!Freight max speed
!Passenger max speed
!Total Est. Cost (millions)
!Avg. Cost/Route mile (millions)
|-
|1
|Class 2 Track
|{{Convert|25|mph|abbr=on}}
|N/A
|$165.4
|$1.8
|-
|2
|Class 3 Track
|{{Convert|40|mph|abbr=on}}
|{{Convert|60|mph|abbr=on}}
|$194.8
|$2.1
|-
|2A
|Class 3 w/PTC
|{{Convert|40|mph|abbr=on}}
|{{Convert|60|mph|abbr=on}}
|$266.0
|$2.9
|-
|3
|Class 4 Track
|{{Convert|60|mph|abbr=on}}
|{{Convert|79|mph|abbr=on}}
|$420.3
|$4.6
|}

Ideally, to get the line running again, Amtrak and the ADOT should work with UP to come up with a detailed capital improvement plan. Such a plan would determine exactly what projects are needed and what will they cost. The capital project plan could present an opportunity to propose rebuilding curves (with increased superelevation) and other improvements to increase train speeds. Straight sections could be feasibly improved for trains traveling faster than {{Convert|100|mph|abbr=on}}.

New higher Class 5 speed track than the FRA Class 4 track proposed by ‘Scenario 3’ in the 2014 ADOT study is possible. There is no technical reason to limit the Wellton Branch to Class 4. A staged plan for double-tracking the line is also needed, starting with upgrades to existing sidings. If UP needs to continue storing more railcars in the area, then additional sidings can be built for that purpose.<ref name="RailPAC"/>

In February 2023, the FRA indicated that it was studying a re-route of the ''Sunset Limited'' from Maricopa back to Phoenix as part of the [[Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study]] ordered by the IIJA. The move would revert a 1996 route change that cut direct service to Arizona's most populous metropolitan area, with stops at {{amtk|Phoenix}}, {{amtk|Tempe}}, and {{amtk|Coolidge}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=FRA Long-Distance Service Study: Regional Working Group Meeting 1 |url=https://fralongdistancerailstudy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Overview-Presentation.pdf#page=113 |publisher=Federal Railroad Administration |access-date=March 28, 2023 |page=113 |date=February 2023}}</ref>

In June 2023, Amtrak submitted an application to the FRA seeking funding for a project to return ''Sunset Limited'' service to Phoenix, paired with increasing the route's frequency to once-daily service.<ref name=":0" />

In December 2023, as a part of the [[Corridor Identification and Development Program]], the Federal Government awarded a $500,000 grant to the State of Arizona to study [[Phoenix–Tucson passenger rail]]. The new rail line plan would send trains from Tucson to the far East Valley, through downtown and on to the West Valley, before reconnecting to UP's mainline in [[Wellton, Arizona|Wellton]], near Yuma. Part of this route would include trackage needed for the ''Sunset Limited''{{'s}} return to Phoenix service.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stone |first=Kevin |date=2023-12-06 |title=Arizona gets first federal funds for Amtrak train project |url=https://ktar.com/story/5552083/arizona-gets-federal-funding-for-phoenix-tucson-amtrak-train-passenger-rail-planning/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226143347/https://ktar.com/story/5552083/arizona-gets-federal-funding-for-phoenix-tucson-amtrak-train-passenger-rail-planning/ |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=KTAR.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Operation ==
{{As of|2024}}, a typical ''Sunset Limited'' train has one or two [[GE Genesis#P42DC|GE P42DC]] locomotives, a [[Viewliner]] II baggage car, a [[Superliner (railcar)|Superliner]] sleeper, a Superliner diner, a Superliner Sightseer Lounge, a Superliner coach, and a Superliner coach/baggage car. West of San Antonio, the train has an additional sleeper and coach that operate as Los Angeles–Chicago through cars via the ''Texas Eagle''. Amtrak plans to eventually re-add a Superliner transition sleeper to the train.<ref name=2024capacity>{{cite news |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/amtrak-adds-to-texas-eagle-capacity-with-dedicated-sunset-through-cars-special-report/ |title=Amtrak adds to Texas Eagle capacity with dedicated Sunset through cars: Special report |first=Bob |last=Johnston |date=July 29, 2024 |newspaper=Trains News Wire |access-date=November 21, 2024}}</ref>

As with other long-distance routes, Amtrak plans to replace the P42DCs with [[Siemens ALC-42]] locomotives by 2027, and the Superliner cars with [[Viewliner#Future cars|new long-distance cars]] by 2032.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/corporate/businessplanning/Amtrak-Service-Asset-Line-Plans-FY22-27.pdf |title=FY 2022-2027 Service and Asset Line Plans |page=133 |publisher=Amtrak |year=2021}}</ref>

===Route===
{{unreferenced section|date=August 2021}}
[[File:Amtrak Sunset Limited.png|500px|thumb|''Sunset Limited'' route map]]
For most of its existence, the ''Sunset Limited'' route was owned by the [[Southern Pacific Transportation Company|Southern Pacific Railroad]]. The name ''Sunset Limited'' traces its origins to the [[Buffalo Bayou, Brazos and Colorado Railway|Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway]], a Southern Pacific subsidiary which was known as the ''Sunset Route'' as early as 1874.

Most of the current route from New Orleans westward is now owned by the [[Union Pacific Railroad]], which acquired Southern Pacific in 1996. However, the route within Louisiana and some of Texas was partially sold to [[BNSF Railway]]<ref name=STB2014>{{cite news |last1=Bowen |first1=Douglas John |title=STB to weigh key trackage rights case |url=https://www.railwayage.com/regulatory/stb-to-weigh-key-trackage-rights-case/ |access-date=August 9, 2021 |work=Railway Age |date=December 2, 2014}}</ref> in 1995 in return for BNSF not objecting to the UP-SP merger.

On the portion of the route east of New Orleans, service was suspended after [[Hurricane Katrina]]. Those tracks, between New Orleans and Florida, include parts of the [[Atlantic Coast Line Railroad]], the [[Seaboard Air Line Railroad]], and the [[Louisville and Nashville Railroad]]—all now merged into [[CSX Transportation]]. Currently, the segment of the former Atlantic Coast Line Railroad between DeLand and Orlando is owned by Orlando's commuter service [[SunRail]], and the segment of track from Pensacola to Baldwin is now owned by the [[Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad]].

The train uses the following route segments, identified here by the names of their original owners:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! class="unsortable" |Route
!Original owner
!Current owner
|-
<!-- |[[Orlando, Florida]]–[[Sanford, Florida]]||[[South Florida Railroad]] (ACL)||rowspan=2|[[SunRail]]
|-
|Sanford–[[DeLand, Florida]]||rowspan=2|[[Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West Railway]] (ACL)
|-
|DeLand–[[Jacksonville, Florida]]||[[CSX Transportation|CSX]]
|-
|Jacksonville–[[Chattahoochee, Florida]]||[[Florida Central and Western Railroad]] (SAL)||rowspan=2|[[Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad]]
|-
|Chattahoochee–[[Pensacola, Florida]]||[[Pensacola and Atlantic Railroad]] (L&N)
|-
|Pensacola–[[Flomaton, Alabama]]||Pensacola Railroad (L&N)||rowspan=3|CSX
|-
|Flomaton–[[Mobile, Alabama]]||Mobile and Montgomery Railway (L&N)
|-
|Mobile–[[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]]||New Orleans and Mobile Railroad (L&N)
|- -->
|New Orleans–[[Lafayette, Louisiana]]||Morgan's Louisiana and Texas Railroad and Steamship Company (SP)||rowspan=2|[[BNSF Railway|BNSF]]/[[Union Pacific|UP]]<ref name=STB2014 />
|-
|Lafayette–[[Lake Charles, Louisiana]]||rowspan=2|Louisiana Western Railroad (SP)
|-
|Lake Charles–[[Orange, Texas]]||rowspan=5|[[Union Pacific Railroad|UP]]
|-
|Orange–[[Houston]], [[Texas]]||[[Texas and New Orleans Railroad]] (SP)
|-
|[[Beaumont, Texas|Beaumont]]-Houston, Texas||[[Beaumont, Sour Lake and Western Railway]] ([[Missouri Pacific Railroad|MP]])
|-
|Houston–[[El Paso, Texas]]||[[Buffalo Bayou, Brazos and Colorado Railway|Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway]] (SP)
|-
|El Paso–[[Los Angeles]], [[California]]||[[Southern Pacific Transportation Company|Southern Pacific Railroad]]
|}

==Stations==
{| class="wikitable"
!State/Province
!City
!Station
!Connections
|-
|rowspan='5'|[[Louisiana]]
|[[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]]
|[[New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal|New Orleans]]
|{{Unbulleted list
|{{rint|us|amtrak}} [[Amtrak]]: {{lnl|Amtrak|City of New Orleans}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|Crescent}}, {{lnl|Amtrak|Mardi Gras Service}}
|{{rint|heritage|tram}}{{RouteBox|46|Rampart–Loyola Streetcar Line|#b94bbc|White}} [[Rampart–Loyola Streetcar Line]]
|{{bus icon}} [[New Orleans Regional Transit Authority]]}}
|-
|[[Schriever, Louisiana|Schriever]]
|[[Schriever station|Schriever]]
|
|-
|[[New Iberia, Louisiana|New Iberia]]
|[[New Iberia station|New Iberia]]
|
|-
|[[Lafayette, Louisiana|Lafayette]]
|[[Lafayette station (Louisiana)|Lafayette]]
|
|-
|[[Lake Charles, Louisiana|Lake Charles]]
|[[Lake Charles station|Lake Charles]]
|{{bus icon}} [[Lake Charles Transit]]
|-
|rowspan='7'|[[Texas]]
|[[Beaumont, Texas|Beaumont]]
|[[Beaumont station|Beaumont]]
|{{bus icon}} [[Beaumont Municipal Transit System]]
|-
|[[Houston, Texas|Houston]]
|[[Houston station (Texas)|Houston]]
|{{Unbulleted list
|{{rint|us|amtrakbus}} [[Amtrak Thruway]]
|{{rint|us|greyhound}} [[Greyhound Lines]]
|{{rint|houston|metro}} [[Houston Metro|METRO Bus]]
}}
|-
|[[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]]
|[[San Antonio station (Texas)|San Antonio]]
|{{Unbulleted list
|{{rint|us|amtrak}} [[Amtrak]]: ''[[Texas Eagle]]''
|{{rint|us|amtrakbus}} [[Amtrak Thruway]]
}}
|-
|[[Del Rio, Texas|Del Rio]]
|[[Del Rio station|Del Rio]]
|
|-
|[[Sanderson, Texas|Sanderson]]
|[[Sanderson station|Sanderson]]
|
|-
|[[Alpine, Texas|Alpine]]
|[[Alpine station|Alpine]]
|
|-
|[[El Paso, Texas|El Paso]]
|[[Union Depot (El Paso)|El Paso]]
|{{Unbulleted list
|{{rint|heritage|pcc}} [[El Paso Streetcar]]
|{{bus icon}} [[Sun Metro]]
}}
|-
|rowspan='2'|[[New Mexico]]
|[[Deming, New Mexico|Deming]]
|[[Deming station|Deming]]
|
|-
|[[Lordsburg, New Mexico|Lordsburg]]
|[[Lordsburg station|Lordsburg]]
|
|-
|rowspan='4'|[[Arizona]]
|[[Benson, Arizona|Benson]]
|[[Benson station|Benson]]
|{{rint|us|greyhound}} [[Greyhound Lines]]
|-
|[[Tucson, Arizona|Tucson]]
|[[Tucson station|Tucson]]
|{{Unbulleted list
|{{rint|tram|1}} [[Sun Link]]
|{{bus icon}} [[Sun Tran]]
}}
|-
|[[Maricopa, Arizona|Maricopa]]
|[[Maricopa station|Maricopa]]
|{{rint|us|amtrakbus}} [[Amtrak Thruway]]
|-
|[[Yuma, Arizona|Yuma]]
|[[Yuma station|Yuma]]
|
|-
|rowspan='4'|[[California]]
|[[Palm Springs, California|Palm Springs]]
|[[Palm Springs station|Palm Springs]]
|
|-
|[[Ontario, California|Ontario]]
|[[Ontario station (Amtrak)|Ontario]]
|{{Unbulleted list
|{{rint|us|amtrakbus}} [[Amtrak Thruway]]: 19
|{{bus icon}} [[Omnitrans]]
}}
|-
|[[Pomona, California|Pomona]]
|[[Pomona–Downtown station|Pomona]]
|{{Unbulleted list
|{{rint|losangeles|metrolink}} [[Metrolink (California)|Metrolink]]: {{rcb|Metrolink (California)|Riverside|inline=route}}
|{{bus icon}} [[Foothill Transit]]
|{{bus icon}} [[Omnitrans]]}}
|-
|[[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]]
|[[Los Angeles Union Station|Los Angeles Union]]
|{{Unbulleted list
|{{rint|us|Amtrak}} [[Amtrak]]: ''[[Coast Starlight]]'', ''[[Pacific Surfliner]]'', ''[[Southwest Chief]]''
|{{rint|losangeles|metrolink}} [[Metrolink (California)|Metrolink]]: {{rcb|Metrolink (California)|91/Perris Valley|inline=route}} {{rcb|Metrolink (California)|Antelope Valley|inline=route}} {{rcb|Metrolink (California)|Orange County|inline=route}} {{rcb|Metrolink (California)|Riverside|inline=route}} {{rcb|Metrolink (California)|San Bernardino|inline=route}} {{rcb|Metrolink (California)|Ventura County|inline=route}}
|{{rint|losangeles|lacmta}} [[Los Angeles Metro|Metro]]: {{rint|losangeles|A}} [[A Line (Los Angeles Metro)|A Line]], {{rint|losangeles|B}} [[B Line (Los Angeles Metro)|B Line]], {{rint|losangeles|D}} [[D Line (Los Angeles Metro)|D Line]], {{rint|losangeles|J}} [[J Line (Los Angeles Metro)|J Line]]
|{{rint|us|amtrakbus}} [[Amtrak Thruway]]: 1
|{{rint|Flix|bus}} [[FlixBus]]
|{{rint|us|greyhound}} [[Greyhound Lines]]
|{{bus icon}} [[Los Angeles Metro Bus]], [[Antelope Valley Transit Authority]], [[City of Commerce Transit]], [[City of Santa Clarita Transit]], [[FlyAway (bus)|LAX FlyAway]], [[LADOT Commuter Express]], [[LADOT DASH]], [[Mount Saint Mary's University, Los Angeles|Mount St. Mary's College]] Shuttle, [[University of Southern California]] Shuttles, [[Foothill Transit]], [[Big Blue Bus]], [[Torrance Transit]], [[Dodger Stadium Express]]
}}
|}

<!--- HIDDEN AS UNSOURCED. PLEASE FIND CORRESPONDING SOURCES BEFORE RESTORING.
===Timetable notes===
Service on the ''Sunset Limited'' between New Orleans and Florida has been suspended since August 29, 2005, because the rail line in the path of [[Hurricane Katrina]] east of New Orleans was washed out. The operating railroad [[CSX Transportation|CSX]] restored the line itself between New Orleans and Jacksonville. However, in 2006, Amtrak said it was deemed too expensive to rebuild to modern passenger rail standards. In 2016 Amtrak proposed to return the ''Sunset Limited'' service to Florida in the near future.

Eastbound trains leave Los Angeles on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. Westbound trains leave New Orleans on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. The journey takes two days to complete in either direction. In its present form, the eastbound ''Sunset Limited'' leaves Los Angeles in the late evening, traveling overnight through Arizona before arriving at breakfast time in Tucson and mid-afternoon in El Paso. After traveling through west Texas overnight, it separates from the ''Texas Eagle'' in San Antonio. Resuming the second day of the trip, it arrives in Houston at lunchtime, Lafayette at rush hour, and New Orleans in the middle of the night. The westbound train leaves New Orleans just after rush hour, arriving in Lafayette at lunchtime and in Houston just after the afternoon rush. It then joins the ''Texas Eagle'' just after midnight and travels overnight through west Texas before arriving in El Paso at lunchtime the following afternoon and in Tucson and Maricopa at dinner time. After traveling overnight through Arizona and California, it arrives in Los Angeles before breakfast.

The ''[[Texas Eagle]],'' which runs daily between San Antonio and [[Chicago]], operates as a section of the ''Sunset Limited'' on the days the latter train operates. At San Antonio, a [[through coach]] and a through sleeper from the ''Texas Eagle'' combine with the ''Sunset Limited'' for the journey westward and split eastward. When combined with the ''Sunset Limited'', the ''Texas Eagle'' is numbered as 421 westbound and 422 eastbound.
-->

==Ridership==

Along with the [[Cardinal (train)|''Cardinal'']], the ''Sunset Limited'' is one of Amtrak's two long-distance services which operate thrice weekly.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://media.amtrak.com/2021/03/with-increased-demand-and-congressional-funding-amtrak-restores-12-long-distance-routes-to-daily-service/|title=With Increased Demand and Congressional Funding, Amtrak Restores 12 Long Distance Routes to Daily Service|date=March 10, 2021}}</ref> Consequently, it carried the third-fewest passengers of any Amtrak train in [[fiscal year]] 2019 (92,827, a 4.4% decrease over FY2018). It had a total revenue of [[US dollar|$]]10,769,179 in 2016, marking a 7.5% decrease over FY2015.<ref name="FY16">{{Cite web |url=https://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Amtrak-FY16-Ridership-and-Revenue-Fact-Sheet-4_17_17-mm-edits.pdf |title=Amtrak FY16 Ridership & Revenue Fact Sheet |date=April 17, 2017 |publisher=Amtrak |access-date=February 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/FY19-Year-End-Ridership.pdf| title=Amtrak FY19 Ridership | website=amtrak.com}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"  style="text-align:center; width:520px; margin:auto;"
|+ Traffic by Fiscal Year (October–September)
|-
! style="width:50px"| !! style="width:100px"| Ridership !! style="width:100px"| Change over previous year !! style="width:100px"| Ticket Revenue !! style="width:100px"| Change over previous year
|-
!2007<ref name=FY0709>{{cite web|url=http://trn.trains.com/~/media/import/files/pdf/9/4/d/ridership-revenue_fy09.pdf|title=Amtrak Fiscal Year 2009, Oct. 2008–Sept. 2009|publisher=Trains Magazine|access-date=November 8, 2020|archive-date=October 30, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030021244/http://trn.trains.com/~/media/import/files/pdf/9/4/d/ridership-revenue_fy09.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|63,336 || - || $6,955,881 || -
|-
!2008<ref name=FY0709/>
|71,719 || {{increase}}{{0}}13.2% || $8,052,515 || {{increase}}{{0}}15.8%
|-
!2009<ref name=FY0709/>
|78,775 || {{increase}}{{0}}9.8% || $8,272,084 || {{increase}}{{0}}2.7%
|-
!2010<ref name=FY1011>{{cite web |url=http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/968/399/ATK-11-133%20Record%20FY11%20Ridership%20and%20Revenue.pdf |title=Amtrak ridership rolls up best-ever records |access-date=July 30, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108035837/http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/968/399/ATK-11-133%20Record%20FY11%20Ridership%20and%20Revenue.pdf |archive-date=November 8, 2012 }}</ref>
|91,684 || {{increase}}{{0}}16.4% || $9,962,415 || {{increase}}{{0}}20.4%
|-
!2011<ref name=FY1011/>
|99,714 || {{increase}}{{0}}8.8% || $11,138,286 || {{increase}}{{0}}11.8%
|-
!2012<ref name=FY1213>{{cite web| url=https://amtrakmedia.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/FY13-Record-Ridership-ATK-13-122.pdf| title=Amtrak Sets Ridership Record and Move the Nation's Economy Forward| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824125952/https://amtrakmedia.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/FY13-Record-Ridership-ATK-13-122.pdf| archive-date=August 24, 2020}}</ref>
|101,217 || {{increase}}{{0}}1.5% || $11,584,844 || {{increase}}{{0}}4.0%
|-
!2013<ref name=FY1213/>
|102,924 || {{increase}}{{0}}1.7% || $12,275,400 || {{increase}}{{0}}6.0%
|-
!2014<ref name=FY1415>{{cite web| url=http://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/FY15Ridership_Revenue_Fact_Sheet_11-5-15.pdf| title=Amtrak FY15 Ridership & Revenue| access-date=November 8, 2020| archive-date=August 30, 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830212820/https://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/FY15Ridership_Revenue_Fact_Sheet_11-5-15.pdf| url-status=dead}}</ref>
|105,041 || {{increase}}{{0}}2.1% || $12,597,724 || {{increase}}{{0}}2.6%
|-
!2015<ref name=FY1415/>
|100,713 || {{decrease}}{{0}}4.1% || $11,639,368 || {{decrease}}{{0}}7.6%
|-
!2016<ref name=FY16/>
|98,079 || {{decrease}}{{0}}2.6% || $10,769,179 || {{decrease}}{{0}}7.5%
|-
!2017<ref name=FY1617>{{cite web| url=https://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/FY17-Ridership-Fact-Sheet-Final.pdf| title=Amtrak FY17 Ridership| access-date=November 8, 2020| archive-date=November 19, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119033231/http://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/FY17-Ridership-Fact-Sheet-Final.pdf| url-status=dead}}</ref>
|99,000 || {{increase}}{{0}}0.9% || - || -
|-
!2018<ref name=FY1819>{{cite web| url=http://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/FY19-Year-End-Revenue-and-Ridership.pdf| title=Amtrak FY19 Ridership}}</ref>
|97,078 || {{decrease}}{{0}}1.9% || - || -
|-
!2019<ref name=FY1819/>
|92,827 || {{decrease}}{{0}}4.4% || - || -
|-
!2020<ref name=FY1920>{{cite news|url=https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/high-performance/amtrak-releases-fy-2020-data/|title=Amtrak Releases FY 2020 Data|last=Luczak|first=Marybeth|date=November 23, 2020|access-date=February 18, 2020|newspaper=Railway Age|publisher=Simmons-Boardman Publishing Inc.|location=New York}}</ref>
|55,118|| {{decrease}}{{0}}38.9% || - || -
|-
!2021<ref name="FY2122">{{Cite web|url=https://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/FY22-Year-End-Revenue-and-Ridership.pdf|title=Amtrak Route Ridership: FY22 vs. FY21|date=November 29, 2022|access-date=January 29, 2023}}</ref>
|57,562 || {{Increase}}{{0}}4.4% || - || -
|-
!2022<ref name="FY2122" />
|73,904 || {{Increase}}{{0}}28.4% || - || -
|-
!2023<ref name="FY23">{{Cite web|url=https://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Amtrak-Fiscal-Year-2023-Ridership.pdf |title=Amtrak Route Ridership: FY23 vs. FY22 |access-date=December 3, 2024}}</ref>
|77,288|| {{Increase}}{{0}}4.6% || - || -
|-
!2024<ref name="FY24">{{Cite web|url=https://media.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/FY24-Year-End-Ridership-Fact-Sheet.pdf |title=Amtrak FY24 Ridership |access-date=December 3, 2024}}</ref>
|76,937|| {{Decrease}}{{0}}-0.5% || $10,800,000<ref name="FY24 revenue">{{Cite web|url=https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/corporate/monthlyperformancereports/2024/Amtrak-Monthly-Performance-Report-September-2024.pdf |title=Amtrak Monthly Performance Report YTD September FY 2024 |access-date=December 3, 2024}}</ref> || -
|-
!2025<ref name="FY25 revenue">{{Cite web|url=https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/corporate/monthlyperformancereports/2025/Amtrak-Monthly-Performance-Report-September-2025.pdf |title=Amtrak Monthly Performance Report YTD September FY 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251114030347/https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/corporate/monthlyperformancereports/2025/Amtrak-Monthly-Performance-Report-September-2025.pdf |archive-date=November 14, 2025 |access-date=November 14, 2025</ref>
|91,500|| {{Increase}}{{0}}18.9% || $13,400,000 || {{Increase}}{{0}}24.1%
|}
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite news |last=Lambert |first=Anthony |title=The Ghan: Great Train Journeys |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/journeysbyrail/9760524/The-Sunset-Limited-Great-Train-Journeys.html |access-date=December 24, 2013 |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=December 21, 2012}}
* Schafer, Mike; "Amtrak's atlas", ''[[Trains (magazine)|Trains]]''; June 1991
* Johnston, Bob; "Getting Ready for the Sunset", ''Trains''; March 1993
* Johnston, Bob; "At last, a transcontinental passenger train", ''Trains''; July 1993
* {{Cite book|last=Orsi|first=Richard J.|year=2007|title= Sunset Limited: The Southern Pacific Railroad and the Development of the American West, 1850-1930|edition=1st|publisher=[[University of California Press]]|isbn=978-0-520-25164-9}}
{{refend}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==External links==
* {{commons category-inline}}
* {{amtrak web|route=yes}}

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[[Category:Amtrak routes]]
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[[Category:Transportation in Southern California]]
[[Category:Night trains of the United States]]
[[Category:Railway services introduced in 1894]]
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