The 901: Will Amtrak start train service between Memphis and Nashville?

Good morning from Memphis, which continues living in its own episode of "Bluff City Law": fighting a big corporation against the odds for the show's return. But first ...

Amtrak could add a daylight run from Memphis to Chicago and revive the long-dormant Nashville-Atlanta service in a bid to capture ridership in growth markets in the South.

And that has some Memphians wondering if a Memphis-Nashville route is a possibility.

Officials from the National Railroad Passenger Corp. (better known as Amtrak) this week floated the additional Memphis-Chicago run and the new Atlanta-Nashville route to state lawmakers, The Tennessean reports. And one of those lawmakers was Democratic Rep. Dwayne Thompson of Memphis, who had this to say on Facebook yesterday:

I attended this meeting yesterday and I am communicating with other legislators, especially concerning the possible Nashville to Memphis connection.

If Thompson and others convince Amtrak to establish a "possible Nashville to Memphis connection," that would be the first passenger train between Memphis and Nashville since City of Memphis (that's the name of the train) was taken offline in the late 1950s.

Here are a few thoughts on the idea:

1. Memphis would love it. I know quite a few Memphians who have taken the train from Memphis to New Orleans and loved the experience. And, despite the rivalry between Memphis and Nashville, many Memphians travel to the "it" city frequently. Put those together, and then add in the possibility of riding to Atlanta, and we're talking about a route that could be more popular than the Memphis-New Orleans route.

But that's in Memphis. As for Nashville ...

2. Nashville would benefit from it. Just think: A Memphis-Nashville line could be the means by which many Nashville residents taste real barbecue for the first time. 

That's a joke. What's not a joke is that tourists are hot for Memphis. It seems like hotels are being built on every corner. Memphis has Graceland, which just celebrated rock and roll legend Elvis Presley's birthday as part of its annual Elvis Week. Memphis has the Grizzlies, which are currently stalking the NBA playoffs, and the Memphis Tigers. Memphis has the largest Bass Pro Shops in the world. And Beale Street. And the National Civil Rights Museum. And St. Jude. And Sun Studios. And more.

That said, The Tennessean polled its readers about what cities they'd take a train to, and the results weren't flattering for Memphis:

Chicago — 25.49%
Atlanta — 17.64%
New Orleans — 16.52%
Other — 11.66%
Nashville suburbs — 11.14%
Knoxville area — 8.45%
Memphis — 6.43%
Louisville — 2.67%

The good news is that 48.44% of the 1,338 people polled said they want to go to either Chicago, New Orleans or Memphis, all of which are on the same line. Combine those numbers, and 48.44% of the poll's respondents voted for what amounts to a Memphis connection — compared to the 17.64% that said they wanted a route to Atlanta.

So, yes, Nashville would travel to (or at least through) Memphis. But even so...

3. It probably won't happen. At least, not for a while. Let me explain.

Amtrak is coming off of its best financial year ever — which may not be saying much, considering it's still operating at a $29.8 million operating loss. Still, the passenger railroad company has improved its bottom line by taking a more aggressive, data-driven approach to decisions like whether to open a Memphis-Nashville line.

And where Nashville and Atlanta's populations are growing, Memphis' isn't. And growth is a major factor in Amtrak's decision, according to Amtrak Senior Director of Government Affairs Ray Lang, who was quoted by The Tennessean as saying this:

"Our route map doesn't really reflect where the nation's population has shifted to — places like Nashville, Louisville, Columbus and Las Vegas that we don't serve at all," Lang told the committee. "We have to do something to change the Amtrak network. Otherwise we'll just wither away."

Rebuilding the infrastructure for a Nashville-Atlanta route will cost Amtrak a sizable chunk of change, but their growth makes it worth Amtrak's while. Restarting Memphis-Nashville service would also be a costly prospect — but with less potential upside.

It doesn't help our case that ridership on the City of New Orleans train has fallen in fiscal years 2019 and 2018.

And that's why Amtrak could settle for a less-expensive Memphis-Chicago daylight run (Memphis already has a train to Chicago that leaves at about 10:40 p.m.).

So, yes: lobby Amtrak for a Memphis-Nashville route, by all means — but don't hold your breath for one just yet. However, if Memphis can turn around its population growth, perhaps Amtrak will be what finally brings the Bluff City and Music City together.

Bluff City Law actress: 'Keep fighting'

The longer the wait, the less likely it appears that NBC will renew its filmed-in-Memphis legal drama "Bluff City Law." But "hope springs eternal," to quote poet Alexander Pope.

Actress Jayne Atkinson, who played Della Rose Bedford in the show, recently bolstered those hopes with a video encouraging fans to keep fighting for a second season, our film critic John Beifuss reports. Watch the video here:

Like the show's protagonists, Memphis is in emotional and seemingly hopeless fight (in between munching on ribs) against a giant corporation trying to take from the little guy.

The city even made a heartstrings-jerking video for the holidays:

Will Memphis, like the "Bluff City Law" attorneys, come out ahead in the end? Well, for that exciting finale, you'll have to stay tuned until next time ...

Eggleston museum still in gestation

Back in 2011, Memphis got exciting news: A local group announced plans to build a $15 million art museum, possibly in Overton Park, for the photography of William Eggleston.

If you haven't heard of the famed Memphis native, he's "arguably the second-most important artist out of Memphis, behind only Elvis Presley" and is internationally acclaimed, our Bob Mehr writes in his recent update on the work of the locally based Eggleston Foundation.

As part of the story, Bob looked back at how those plans for a museum fell apart — although Eggleston Foundation director Virginia Rutledge hasn't given up on the idea:

“People have continued to ask if there is going to be a museum," Rutledge said. "That is something that we are looking at very seriously, based on all the input we’re getting not just from Memphis, but all over the world.”

Rutledge added: “We are planning something modest in terms of physical footprint but that we believe can have an impact locally, and nationally and internationally, as well."

Things to know, places to go, in the 901

• For subscribers: Our Tonyaa Weathersbee's latest column focuses on what local churches are doing to guard against potential church shootings. Also, our Evan Barnes writes about five ways the Memphis Grizzlies have exceeded expectations.
• In perhaps the most interesting story you'll read today, our Khari Thompson reviews how the Whitehaven girls basketball team defeated Kingsbury 110-2. That's right —110 points to 2 points. 
• The case of Bill Ray Turner, who is charged with the homicide of Memphis NBA star Lorenzen Wright, keeps getting delayed, our Daniel Connolly reports. The case was delayed again Wednesday, and the trial might not happen until this fall.
• RIP, Bettye Berger: The Memphis rock and roll and soul pioneer (and one of the love interests of Elvis), died Tuesday in Memphis, our Bob Mehr reports. She was 89.
• Our food writer, Jennifer Chandler, introduces us to Alex Castle, Tennessee's first female head distiller since prohibition and overseer of the Old Dominick Distillery.
• Shelby County Schools began labeling kids "gifted" based on results rather than teacher recommendations — and added 600 kids to the program.
• Our Corinne Kennedy updates us on the massive mixed-use Silo Square development in Southaven, Mississippi.
• Unsurprisingly, the Tennessee Supreme Court suspended former assistant U.S. attorney and past president of the Memphis Bar Association Barbara Morris Zoccola after she pleaded guilty to stealing thousands of federal dollars, The Jackson Sun reports.
• From the sports desk: Memphis Tigers basketball coach Penny Hardaway will keep the same lineup as in the team's previous game, CA Tigers basketball beat reporter Jason Munz writes. Also, our sports columnist, Mark Giannotto, opines on the national attention Ja Morant has brought the Memphis Grizzlies.
• Our music reporter Bob Mehr gives us the 411 on the week's goings-on.
• The her latest "20 with Tonyaa" podcast, columnist Tonyaa Weathersbee sits down with Dr. Tracy Hall, president of Southwest Tennessee Community College.

The Fadeout: Throwback Thursday

For today's throwback, let's fade out with "St. Louis Blues," what is probably the best-remembered song from Memphis composer and musician W.C. Handy. That park in the Beale Street Historic District? It's named after Handy, the "father of the blues."

Here's Handy on the TV show "Toast of the Town" in 1948, showing off his trumpet skills in a rare live recording...

Like The Fadeout? The 901's Spotify playlist has all of the available featured songs from local artists.

Columnist Ryan Poe writes The 901, a running commentary on all things Memphis. Reach him at poe@commercialappeal.com and on Twitter @ryanpoe.

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