(rshsdepot) Latest update on Amtrak service

[<sbramson_@_bellsouth.net>]

Thanks to Dale Burns and the Alabama rails list for the below.

As for the question of the Sunset Limited, here is the official word from 
the Amtrak website:



            Service Alert: Modified Amtrak Service to and from the Gulf 
Coast to be in Effect Until Further Notice

            September 2, 2005

            WASHINGTON - Direct passenger rail service to and from the Gulf 
Coast and New Orleans cannot be fully restored at this time due to severe 
infrastructure damage from Hurricane Katrina, but Amtrak does plan to extend 
two services that had been previously truncated.

            Amtrak is offering full refunds and waiving all penalties for 
passengers who had made reservations traveling to or from New Orleans or 
other areas served by the affected trains.

            Crescent (trains 19 & 20)

            This train normally operates daily between New York and New 
Orleans. Through the southbound departures on Sept. 11 and the northbound 
departures on Sept. 13, the trains will originate and terminate in Atlanta 
instead of New Orleans. Starting with the southbound departures on Sept. 12 
and the northbound departures on Sept. 13, the trains will originate and 
terminate in Meridian, Miss., instead of New Orleans.

            No alternate transportation is available between Meridian and 
New Orleans.

            City of New Orleans (trains 58 & 59)

            This train normally operates daily between Chicago and New 
Orleans. Through the southbound departures on Sept. 3 and the northbound 
departures on Sept. 4, the trains will originate and terminate in Memphis 
instead of New Orleans. Starting with the southbound departures on Sept. 5 
and the northbound departures on Sept. 6, the trains will originate and 
terminate in Jackson, Miss., instead of New Orleans.

            No alternate transportation is available between Jackson and New 
Orleans.

            Sunset Limited (trains 1 & 2)

            This train normally operates three-days-weekly between Orlando 
and Los Angeles, via New Orleans and Houston. Until further notice, the 
trains will originate and terminate in San Antonio, instead of Orlando.

            No alternate transportation is available between San Antonio and 
Orlando, via New Orleans. Service to and from the Orlando area continues to 
be maintained by the Silver Star (trains 91 & 92), the Silver Meteor (trains 
97 & 98) and Auto Train (trains 52 & 53). Service to and from Houston 
continues to be maintained by an Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach Connection to and 
from the Texas Eagle (trains 21 & 22) at Longview, Texas.

            Amtrak will continue to monitor the hurricane damage and cleanup 
and make further schedule adjustments if necessary, but this service plan 
modification will be in effect until further notice.

            The affected trains will continue to offer both Coach class and 
First class (Sleeping Car) service, with food services for passengers 
provided on a modified basis on the City of New Orleans and Sunset Limited. 
Coach class and First class customers will all be served from the Lounge Car 
on the City of News Orleans, while Coach class and First class customers 
will all be served from two areas of the Dining Car on the Sunset Limited.

            Amtrak reservation agents are contacting passengers regarding 
the schedule adjustments. Passengers may also call 800-USA-RAIL for 
assistance with their travel plans.




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railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

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