The job cuts went deeper than the 700 anticipated when the nationwide restructuring was announced Jan. 31. Amtrak has been left with 25,400 employees to run its 22,000-mile route system serving 500 communities in 45 states.

The national passenger railroad remains a major employer here, with 2,849 workers -- most at 30th Street Station, which also houses the headquarters of its big Northeast Corridor Division as well as systemwide management operations.

It also has a reservations center in North Philadelphia and the Penn Coach railyard near 30th Street Station.

The Philadelphia cuts -- 154 from management and 230 from union ranks -- included layoffs and workers who were given early retirement and voluntary separation incentives, said Karen Dunn, media relations manager.

The reductions include workers the public sees -- ticket sales, station and customer service agents -- as well as behind-the-scenes jobs in engineering, finance, policy, communications, and capital projects planning, she said.

The cuts came as David L. Gunn, 64, the veteran transit executive who cleaned up graffiti and improved service as SEPTA general manager from 1979 to 1984, prepares to take over next month as president of Amtrak.

Amtrak's new 150-m.p.h. Acela Express trains are gaining popularity. Sixteen of the 20 trains Amtrak has purchased are running between Boston and Washington through Philadelphia, replacing the aging premium-fare Metroliner express trains.

But the railroad faces a growing backlog of work on its track, signals, bridges, tunnels, stations and older trains.