Tullahoma could be new hub for Amtrak in proposed Nashville to Atlanta route.

Amtrak has reportedly pitched a new route between Nashville and Atlanta.

Amtrak officials proposed the new route to Tennessee Lawmakers early last week, during a House of Transportation meeting. The ride is estimated to be about six and a half hours long, with routes running twice per day in each direction, and stops at the Nashville International Airport, Murfreesboro, Tullahoma and Chattanooga.

Currently, the only train stations Amtrak offers in Tennessee are in west Tennessee cities Memphis and Newbern-Dyersburg.

Though the proposal is only in its preliminary stages, Tennessee Representative Jason Powell is preparing to file a bill to study the proposal’s infrastructure and cost to ensure the idea for a rail connecting the two cities is attainable. According to Rep. Powell, “The state of Tennessee is interested.”

Officials of Amtrak told the state that public funding would need to cover expenses in a split between the publicly-owned company and state funding. For example, “If a train costs $100 to run, and makes $75 in revenue, the state pays the difference”, says Amtrak representative Ray Lang. According to the officials, the state could be looking at a deficit of about $3 million per year.

Although the state has expressed interest, it could be four to five years before the rail is available, if approved. Amtrak would also need to work with CSX Transportation, the owners of the railroad, to make the plan work.

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