While Katrina's impact on Amtrak pales in comparison to the rest of the devastation still unfolding as we speak, here's the latest info from Amtrak. I wouldn't expect Amtrak service to return to NOL for several weeks, perhaps months. On another forum, reindeerflame put his money on February, 2006! We shall see.

Service Alert: Hurricane Katrina Update - City of New Orleans, Crescent, Sunset Limited - Revised Service Information

August 30, 2005 9:30 a.m.

Due to Hurricane Katrina and severe damage across the Southeast, Amtrak continues to implement a revised service plan for its City of New Orleans trains, which operate between New Orleans and Chicago; the Crescent, which operates between New Orleans and New York; and the Sunset Limited, which operates between Orlando and Los Angeles via New Orleans.

Southbound City of New Orleans train #59 that departs Chicago will terminate in Memphis instead of New Orleans on the following dates:

*
Tuesday August 30,
*
Wednesday August 31,
*
Thursday September 1,
*
Friday September 2 and
*
Saturday September 3.

No alternate transportation will be provided between Memphis and New Orleans.

Northbound City of New Orleans train #58 originally scheduled to originate in New Orleans will instead originate in Memphis on the following dates:

*
Tuesday August 30,
*
Wednesday August 31,
*
Thursday September 1,
*
Friday September 2,
*
Saturday September 3 and
*
Sunday September 4.

No alternate transportation will be provided between New Orleans and Memphis.

Southbound Crescent train #19 that departs New York will terminate in Atlanta instead of New Orleans on the following dates:

*
Tuesday August 30,
*
Wednesday August 31,
*
Thursday September 1,
*
Friday September 2,
*
Saturday September 3 and
*
Sunday September 4.

No alternate transportation will be provided between Atlanta and New Orleans.

Northbound Crescent train #20 originally scheduled to originate in New Orleans will instead originate in Atlanta on the following dates:

*
Tuesday August 30,
*
Wednesday August 31,
*
Thursday September 1,
*
Friday September 2,
*
Saturday September 3,
*
Sunday September 4 and
*
Monday September 5.

No alternate transportation will be provided between New Orleans and Atlanta.

Westbound Sunset Limited train #1 originally scheduled to originate in Orlando will instead originate in San Antonio on the following dates:

*
Tuesday August 30,
*
Thursday September 1,
*
Sunday September 4,
*
Tuesday September 6 and
*
Thursday September 8.

No alternate transportation will be provided between Orlando and San Antonio.

Eastbound Sunset Limited train #2 that departs Los Angeles will terminate in San Antonio instead of Orlando on the following dates:

*
Wednesday August 31,
*
Friday September 2,
*
Sunday September 4 and
*
Wednesday September 7.

No alternate transportation will be provided between San Antonio and Orlando.

Amtrak will continue to monitor the storm and make further schedule adjustments if necessary.

Amtrak reservation agents are contacting passengers regarding the schedule adjustments. Passengers may also call 1-800-USA-RAIL for assistance with their travel plans.