NEWS



National Railroad Passenger Corporation
Amtrak Intercity
210 South Canal Street
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Fax: 312 655-2565


	   
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE				       ATK-96-97
May 9, 1996							       Contact:  Marc Magliari
								       312-655-1338

THE AMTRAK CRESCENT: A "SOUTHEAST SHUTTLE" FOR BUSINESS TRAVELERS

	CHICAGO -- Business travelers with meetings in Atlanta or Washington, D.C., can experience a comfortable and relaxing way to travel on the Amtrak Crescent, a "southeast shuttle" offering safe and reliable daily rail service between Washington and Atlanta, with continuing service to New York and New Orleans. 
	For about the price of an airline ticket, Washington and Atlanta business travelers can purchase both transportation and sleeping accommodations on the Crescent.
	Business travelers on the Crescent enjoy a full-service dining car, cellular phone coverage between Washington and Atlanta, electrical outlets in sleeping accommodations and showers on-board Viewliner sleepers. Sleeping car travelers enjoy first-class Crescent Gold Service, featuring complimentary meals, morning wake-up service with a newspaper, coffee, tea, orange juice, complimentary beverages at all times, evening chocolates, turn-down service and special gift. 
	The Crescent (Train #19) departs Washington at 6:48 p.m. and arrives in Atlanta at 8:30 the next morning.  Passengers in Atlanta board the Crescent (Train #20) at 7:45 p.m. with arrival in Washington the next morning at 9:15.
	The Atlanta and Washington Amtrak stations are conveniently located near the downtown business districts. Atlanta's Peachtree Station is located at 1688 Peachtree St., N.W., a short cab ride from downtown, and Washington Union Station is located at 50 Massachusetts Ave., N.E., across from the U.S. Capital.
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	"The Crescent is a cost-effective way to travel between Washington and Atlanta," said Tracy Davis, Crescent product line manager. "The schedule is perfect for business travelers, as it permits early morning and mid-afternoon meetings and dinners without the expense of booking a hotel room."
	On the Crescent, business travelers have a selection of first-class sleeping accommodations, including Viewliner compartments and deluxe bedrooms or traditional roomettes and bedrooms. Viewliner rooms accommodate one or two passengers, have a video entertainment system, restrooms and showers. Viewliner deluxe bedrooms include a private shower. 
	Business travelers interested in experiencing the Viewliners should reserve space early and request a Viewliner accommodation. 
	The Crescent operates daily between New York and Atlanta, departing New York's Penn Station southbound at 2:10 p.m. and arriving northbound at 1:55 p.m.  On Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the Crescent continues past Atlanta to arrive in New Orleans at 7:28 p.m.  The Crescent departs New Orleans at 7:05 a.m. on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
	Please see an authorized Amtrak travel agent, visit a staffed Amtrak station or call 1-800-USA-RAIL for schedule and fare information on the Amtrak Crescent, a "southeast shuttle."
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