Uploaded July 2011 | Updated September 2026, 27 minutes ago
The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad, located in Alamosa, CO, recently added the City of New Orleans observation club car "Mardi Gras" to its excursion trains. The car has been restored to its original Illinois Central orange and brown liverey, and railroad president Ed Ellis liked it so much that he painted the entire train to match. It makes a great looking train (except that it clashes with the red diesels (:-)).
Mr. Ellis also wrote and sings a new verse to the song "Riding on the City of New Orleans", a recording of which is available to those who ride the "Mardi Gras." Presented here are a few scenes featuring the original City of New Orleans train and the Mardi Gras, set to Ellis' verse.
The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad, located in Alamosa, CO, recently added the City of New Orleans observation club car "Mardi Gras" to its excursion trains. The car has been restored to its original Illinois Central orange and brown liverey, and railroad president Ed Ellis liked it so much that he painted the entire train to match. It makes a great looking train (except that it clashes with the red diesels (:-)).
Mr. Ellis also wrote and sings a new verse to the song "Riding on the City of New Orleans", a recording of which is available to those who ride the "Mardi Gras." Presented here are a few scenes featuring the original City of New Orleans train and the Mardi Gras, set to Ellis' verse.
