NEWS




National Railroad Passenger Corporation
Amtrak Intercity
210 South Canal Street
Chicago, Illinois 60606-5715



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                     ATK-96-165
July 18, 1996 - 3:00 p.m. CDT                        Contact:
                                                Marc Magliari 312-655-1338

SOME AMTRAK OPERATIONS SOUTH AND WEST OF CHICAGO DISRUPTED BY
FLOODING

     CHICAGO -- Many Amtrak trains to and from Chicago are operating normally despite
heavy rainfall last night that closed several of the freight railroad lines around Chicago. 
However, track closures early today led Amtrak to halt inbound trains from St. Louis, Los
Angeles and Quincy, Ill., in Bloomington/Normal and Galesburg, Ill.  Passengers were then
transported to Chicago by motor coach.  

     Amtrak trains along the St. Louis/Kansas City corridor on the Illinois Central and
Southern Pacific railroads are represented today and tonight by buses to Bloomington/Normal,
where passengers disembark or board trains.  Affected trains in this corridor are the State House
(Trains #300 and 305), Ann Rutledge (Trains #304 and 303) and the Eagle (Trains #322 and
321).  Buses will also cover intermediate stops between Chicago and Bloomington/Normal.  

     Amtrak trains to and from Galesburg on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad are
represented today and tonight by buses to Galesburg, where passengers disembark or board
trains. Affected trains are the Southwest Chief (Trains #3 and 4) and the Desert Wind (Trains #35
and 36) to and from Los Angeles; the California Zephyr (Trains #5 and 6) to and from Oakland,
Calif.; the Pioneer (Trains #25 and 26) to and from Seattle/Portland and the Illinois Zephyr
(Trains #347 and 348) to and from Quincy, Ill.  Buses will also cover the intermediate stops
between Chicago and Galesburg.

     Amtrak trains to and from Carbondale (the Illini, Trains #391 and 392), New Orleans (the
City of New Orleans, Trains #59 and 58) and other points north and east of Chicago are
operating with some delays.

     Amtrak will continue to work with closely with the affected freight railroads to determine
when normal service can be restored.  Passengers are advised to monitor news reports or call
1-800-USA-RAIL for the most up-to-date information.

# # #