NEWS




National Railroad Passenger Corporation
Amtrak Corporate Communications
60 Massachusetts Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20002



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                 	       ATK-96-146
July 10, 1996  - 8:30 p.m. ET                                                   Contacts: Cliff Black (202) 906-3860
							                                  Marc Magliari (312) 655-1338
							                                  Rick Remington (215) 349-2735

	AMTRAK MODIFIES SOUTHEAST SCHEDULES AS A RESULT OF HURRICANE BERTHA

	WASHINGTON -- Amtrak train schedules between the Northeast and points in Florida are being modified in response to possible route disruption caused by Hurricane Bertha.  Northeast Corridor trains and trains in Virginia are not affected.  Northbound trains leaving Florida points today were not affected, but Florida-bound trains scheduled to leave Northeast points today are being affected to varying degrees.
	The southbound Silver Meteor (Train #97), from New York City to Miami via Washington, Florence, S.C., and Savannah, Ga., is canceled today.  Passengers may receive refunds for regular tickets on this train, but no alternate transportation will be provided by Amtrak.
	The southbound Silver Star (Trains #81 & 91), from New York City to Tampa via Washington, Raleigh and Columbia, S.C., will operate at least to Columbia, where a decision will be made as to further southward operation based on updated hurricane information.  The Silver Star is scheduled to arrive in Columbia at 12:53 a.m., July 11.
	The southbound Auto Train (Train #53) will operate from its normal departure point in Lorton, Va., and operate as far south as weather permits.  If the train is delayed en route, it will hold until  weather permits it to proceed to its southern terminal in Sanford, Fla.
	The northbound Silver Meteor (Train #98), scheduled to depart Miami at 7:25 a.m. Thursday, July 11, is canceled.  Passengers may receive refunds for regular tickets on this train, but no alternate transportation will be provided by Amtrak.  
	Amtrak will continue to watch the progress of the hurricane and its effect on CSX railroad tracks used by Amtrak in the Southeast to determine train schedules during the next 24 hours.  
	For up-to-date Amtrak train information, passengers are advised to contact their local Amtrak station or 1-800-USA-RAIL.

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