CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A provision inserted into an appropriations bill 20 years ago by Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., might be enough to keep Amtrak's Cardinal running through West Virginia, a wire service reports.

Last week, Amtrak said it would cancel 18 long-distance routes unless it receives $1.2 billion in the 2003 budget year, which begins in October. President Bush has proposed $521 million for Amtrak, the same amount as the last three years.

Included in the cuts were the Washington-to-Chicago Cardinal, which stops in Charleston, Huntington and White Sulphur Springs, and the Capitol Limited, which also runs between Washington and Chicago and stops in Harpers Ferry.

In 1981, when Amtrak eliminated the Cardinal, Byrd included the following language in the Transportation Appropriations bill: "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Corporation shall provide through rail passenger service between Washington, D.C. and Chicago, via Cincinnati."

Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., who sits on the House Transportation Committee, said she is concerned about Amtrak's cost and worried about the loss of service to West Virginia.

"Amtrak needs a financial commitment, not a service cut," said Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., who also sits on the House Transportation Committee.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., said Amtrak's planned cuts could hurt rural areas. "Without affordable rail transportation, we could effectively isolate the vast majority of Americans living in rural areas," he said.

Amtrak officials said Thursday they would look into the effects of Byrd's provision.