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[KevinKorell]

To NARP members, September 2, 2005-- Amtrak will extend the operation of the City of New Orleans and Crescent closer to New Orleans as explained below. The City of New Orleans, now running Chicago-Memphis, will be extended in two phases: -to/from Jackson, MS starting with departures from Chicago on Labor Day (Monday, September 5) and from Jackson Tuesday, September 6. Prior to these dates, the train will operate to/from Memphis, TN. -to/from Hammond, LA effective with departures from Chicago on Monday, September 12 and from Hammond on Wednesday, September 14. City of New Orleans will run with a lounge car and no diner. Box meals will be provided to sleeping-car passengers, similar to what has long been provided on the Portland section of the Empire Builder. The Crescent, now New York-Atlanta only, will be extended to Meridian, MS starting with departures from New York on Monday, September 12, and from Meridian on Wednesday, September 14. Amtrak now is selling space on these extensions through end of inventory, that is, for travel up to 11 months from now. Amtrak temporarily is not accepting new bookings on the Los Angeles-San Antonio-Chicago sleeping car, while they re-accommodate passengers originally booked across New Orleans on the Sunset Ltd. --Ross B. Capon NARP Executive Director