FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ATK-97-160A
OCTOBER 10, 1997
Contact: Marc Magliari (312) 655-1338

AMTRAK TO ADD ADDITIONAL CHICAGO - LOS ANGELES FREQUENCY VIA TEXAS

CHICAGO -- Amtrak plans to begin operating a fourth train weekly between Chicago and Los Angeles via Texas and the Southwest, effective Feb. 6. Amtrak currently provides service three-days-weekly between Chicago and San Antonio on the Amtrak Texas Eagle route and service three-days-weekly between San Antonio and Los Angeles on the Amtrak Sunset Limited route.

The fourth train weekly will operate as a through train providing direct service to points along the entire 2,726-mile route. On the current three-days-weekly service, passengers who wish to connect between the Texas Eagle and the Sunset Limited can transfer in San Antonio.

Amtrak is able to expand operation of the service because its passenger and express business is growing and prospects for future customer growth warrant the expansion.

Both the Texas Eagle and the Sunset Limited feature bi-level Superliner sleeping cars, dining cars, sightseer lounges and coaches, which set the standard for comfort in long-distance train travel.

The fourth day of service will depart Chicago westbound on Fridays and will depart Los Angeles eastbound on Mondays. The Texas Eagle now departs Chicago westbound and San Antonio eastbound on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The Sunset Limited now departs Los Angeles eastbound on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays and departs San Antonio westbound on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

AWe=re very pleased to expand service between Chicago and Los Angeles on the routes of these two great trains, the Texas Eagle and the Sunset Limited,@ said Lee Bullock, Interim President, Amtrak Intercity. AThis is part of our on-going effort to increase train frequencies in order to be responsive to customers.@

Amtrak will soon begin accepting reservations for the expanded service. Customers should visit a staffed Amtrak station, call 1- 800-USA-RAIL or see an authorized Amtrak travel agent, for details on this or any other Amtrak service. Schedule and service information is also available at the Amtrak site on the World Wide Web at www.amtrak.com.