NEWS




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


 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE					   Contacts:
 February 8, 1996							   Marc Magliari, Amtrak Intercity 312 655-1338
 ATK-96-24								   Dawn Soper, Amtrak West 510 238-4360


SEVERE WEATHER DISRUPTS AMTRAK SERVICE IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
TRAINS CANCELED BETWEEN EUGENE, ORE., AND SEATTLE & VANCOUVER, B.C.
SERVICE BETWEEN CHICAGO AND THE NORTHWEST ALSO AFFECTED

	PORTLAND, Ore. -- Amtrak has canceled all train service between Eugene, Ore., and Vancouver, B.C., due to severe weather that has caused flooding and mud-slides along the tracks owned by the Southern Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroads.  All service in the Pacific Northwest is canceled through at least Sunday, Feb. 10.
	Where possible, Amtrak is offering alternate transportation via motor coach.  However, highway access is also disrupted by the weather conditions.
	Regional trains affected by the disruption are the Mount Baker International (trains #760 & 761), the Cascadia (trains #751 & 750) and the Mount Adams (trains #753 & 752). 
	The Coast Starlight (trains #11 & 14) is operating to Eugene instead of Portland and Seattle.  
	Trains scheduled to and from Chicago have operational limitations based on track conditions in the Northwest. The Empire Builder (trains #7 & 8) is operating to and from Spokane instead of Seattle and Portland.  The Pioneer (trains #25 & 26) is operating to Ogden, Utah, instead of Seattle and Portland.
	The Amtrak station in Portland is preparing for possible flooding from the Willamette River by placing sandbags in and around the station and moving equipment to higher ground.
	Customers are encouraged to call 1-800-USA-RAIL for more information.

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