(Amtrak issued the following news release on September 16.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak is closely monitoring the progress of Hurricane Isabel and, as a precautionary measure, has made modifications to its services. Customers are advised to log on to www.amtrak.com or call 1-800-USA-RAIL for the most updated information.
As of 12:00 noon today, Amtrak has announced the following schedule modifications:
* FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST SERVICES: Trains 92 (Silver Star) and 97 (Silver Meteor) originating on Sept. 17 are cancelled. Train 90 (Palmetto) will operate from Miami to Jacksonville only. Auto Train service (trains 52 and 53) will operate on Sept. 17, but will be cancelled on Sept. 18.
* NORTH CAROLINA SERVICES: Trains 73 and 74 (Piedmont) and 79 and 80 (Carolinian) will operate as scheduled on Sept. 17.
* VIRGINIA TIDEWATER SERVICES: On Sept. 17, Regional trains 85 and 93 will operate to Richmond as scheduled, but train 95 will terminate in Washington instead of Richmond.
On Thursday, Sept. 18, Regional trains 84 and 86 will originate in Washington instead of Richmond, and trains 76, 77 and 94 will be cancelled between Newport News and Washington.
* OTHER SERVICES: On Sept. 17, train 30 (Capitol Limited) is cancelled between Chicago and Washington, and train 48 (Lake Shore Limited) from Chicago to New York City will terminate in Albany instead of New York. For passengers scheduled on the Lake Shore Limited beyond Albany, alternate transportation will be provided on Empire service trains.
Amtrak will continue to operate all other services as planned, including its Northeast Corridor trains.
Amtrak will make additional schedule adjustments and cancellations as necessary, keeping the safety of our passengers as our highest priority. Amtrak will reaccommodate passengers as services permit and will waive exchange and cancellation fees for affected trains.