FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ATK-98-79
June 11, 1998
Contact: Marc Magliari (312) 655-1338

AMTRAK TEXAS EAGLE MAKES CONNECTIONS TO HOT SPRINGS, ARK.
Newest improvement to the Chicago-San Antonio- Los Angeles service

CHICAGO -- Direct connections are now possible from the Amtrak Texas Eagle to hotels, resorts and other locations in Hot Springs, Ark., the scenic and historic resort area known as America’s Spa.

This expansion of Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach Service meets the Chicago-San Antonio-(Los Angeles) Texas Eagle at the Amtrak stations in Little Rock, located at Markham & Victory Streets, and Malvern, located at 200 E. 1st. St., Ark. Passengers are transported to and from Hot Springs National Park, area lodging and attractions, the Transportation Plaza at 100 Broadway Terrace Plaza in Hot Springs or even private homes in the immediate vicinity of Hot Springs. (Please see an attached schedule)

Service by the Texas Eagle between Chicago and San Antonio was expanded by a fourth frequency earlier this year. Prior to February, Amtrak operated service three-days- weekly between Chicago and San Antonio on its Texas Eagle route and service three-days- weekly between San Antonio and Los Angeles on its Sunset Limited route. The fourth Texas Eagle frequency provides direct rail passenger service to points along the entire 2,726- mile Chicago-San Antonio-Los Angeles route.

Effective with the Spring/Summer Amtrak timetable on May 17, Amtrak further improved the Texas Eagle and Sunset Limited service by initiating through car service between the two trains.

The Texas Eagle and the Sunset Limited exchange cars to and from Chicago and Los Angeles, enabling customers to connect between the two trains without walking from train to train. Previously, passengers who wished to connect between the Texas Eagle and the Sunset Limited to and from Los Angeles made a physical transfer between the trains in San Antonio. The through car service will be evaluated again before the 1998-1999 Fall/Winter timetable is issued.

Hot Springs is steeped in tradition at almost every turn. The amazing thermal waters that give the city its name have a history all their own, and the town that has grown up around the 47 thermal springs on the slopes of Hot Springs Mountain is packed full of tradition. While there is evidence that Native Americans gathered in peace to enjoy the relaxing thermal waters many hundreds of years ago, the history of European presence in "The Valley of the Vapors" has been traced to a visit in 1541 by Hernando DeSoto's Spanish expedition. Accounts from the time indicate the Spaniards paused in the area of the thermal springs as they marched through what is now Arkansas. Present day families can see display thermal springs gushing forth the health-giving waters in much the same way the DeSoto expedition saw them.

Hot Springs National Park is the perfect family getaway destination, with overnight Amtrak Texas Eagle service to Hot Springs from Chicago and St. Louis and same-day service from San Antonio, Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth. Thirty- two family attractions -- from tours by amphibious vehicles, to an alligator farm, to a science museum and a trip to the top of the Hot Springs Mountain Tower -- make Hot Springs a great place for a family visits.

Customers should visit a staffed Amtrak station, call 1-800-USA-RAIL or see an authorized Amtrak travel agent, for details on the Texas Eagle, Sunset Limited, Amtrak Thruway Motorcoaches or any other Amtrak service. Ticketing, schedules and service information are also available at the Amtrak site on the World Wide Web at www.amtrak.com.

Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach Service

Little Rock and Malvern, Ark., to Hot Springs, Ark.
Operated by: Airport Shuttle Service of Hot Springs
Effective June 1, 1998

Wednesdays-Fridays-Saturdays-Sundays

7:00 a.m. Depart Hot Springs Transportation Plaza
8:00 a.m. Arrive Little Rock Amtrak Station
8:32 a.m. Westbound Texas Eagle arrives/departs Little Rock
9:00 a.m. Depart Little Rock Amtrak Station
10:00 a.m. Arrive Hot Springs Transportation Plaza

Tuesdays-Wednesdays-Thursdays-Sundays

8:50 p.m. Depart Hot Springs Transportation Plaza
9:10 p.m. Arrive Malvern Amtrak Station
9:34 p.m. Eastbound Texas Eagle arrives/departs Malvern
10:00 p.m. Depart Malvern Amtrak Station
10:20 p.m. Arrive Hot Springs Transportation Plaza