NEWS



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


	   
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE				       ATK-96-38
March 1,  1996						       Contact: Marci Larson  
								       904 359-8190


	AMTRAK "SILVER SERVICE" TO FLORIDA SHINES EVEN BRIGHTER


	JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Amtrak Silver Star and Silver Meteor have new features to encourage more customers to take the popular trains between New York/Washington and the Florida destinations.  Dining car and lounge service enhancements benefit both First Class and coach customers, while First Class customers now have an option for easier check-in and ticketing.

	The improvements include:
					
		Regional foods are featured in the dining car of the Silver Star (trains #81/91 & #82/92).  Items specific to the train route from the Northeast, through the Carolinas and to Florida will be offered on both a full-meal and a la carte basis.  Choices include Old South Barbeque Pork, Boneless North Atlantic Scrod, Oven-baked Chicken, a Cuban Submarine Sandwich with Rice and Black Bean Soup, a Gourmet Vegetarian Delight and a Kids Meal of Meatloaf with Macaroni and Cheese.  Souvenir menus will be placed in the coach seat-backs and in the dining car.

		Gourmet-To-Go food service is offered for the first time anywhere on the Silver Star.  A customer can participate in the traditional dining car seating or can order their food for pick-up anytime between 6:00 a.m. and 9 p.m.  The coach attendant carries the order to the diner and the customer picks for the meal at that time.  An Express Breakfast of a non-fat fruited yogurt, cereal and a cinnamon roll; Southern Fried Chicken; Buffalo Wings or Kids Meals are on the menu.

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		A new lounge car menu is implemented on the Silver Star and the Silver Meteor (trains #97 & #98).  New items include a Meatball Submarine Sandwich with Pizza Sauce and Mozzarella Cheese, a Jumbo Cheeseburger, a Chili Dog, a Chicken Salad Sandwich on Whole Wheat Bread and a Southern Fried Chicken Basket.

		Each table in the dining cars on both of the Silver Service trains will be decorated with a small bouquet of freshly-cut flowers.  All food is served on china with white linens.

		Curbside luggage check-in is offered for both of the Silver Service trains in Miami and 		Fort Lauderdale, Fla.  Customers can have their luggage checked to their destination 	without having to wait in line at the depot ticket window.

		A ticket window has been opened in Miami solely for sleeping car customers.  This gives First Class customers a faster check-in process.

	"These are the first of a series of upgrades," said Dennis Hale, Silver Service product line manager.  "There are more exciting enhancements to come."

	The menu and other food service changes are effective Mar. 1, while the station service improvements were effective in mid-February.

	Please see an authorized Amtrak travel agent, visit a staffed Amtrak station or call 
1-800-USA-RAIL for details on this service.

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