SOUTHERN ILLINOIS - The first congressional shot to restore federal funding to Amtrak failed in the U.S. Senate Wednesday, sending a signal the battle to keep the passenger rail line alive won't be as simple as amending the president's budget.

Senators, largely from the northeastern part of the country but also including Illinois Sens. Barack Obama, D-Chicago, and Dick Durbin, D-Springfield, introduced an amendment to President George W. Bush's 2006 fiscal year budget proposal that put back $1.4 billion into Amtrak coffers, which were stripped clean of funds in the original resolution.

Obama and Durbin were both co-sponsors of the measure, which died under a 46-52 vote on the Senate floor.

Bush has agreed to restore some federal subsidies to Amtrak if the company promises to reform. As it stands, Amtrak cannot survive without the funding given to it by the government. The department of transportation chief, Norman Mineta, has also asked states with Amtrak lines to take over a bigger portion of the system's infrastructure.

Obama said he agrees Amtrak needs to change some of its operations. Citing "serious inefficiencies" in the company, he contends eliminating its funding altogether will do nothing but ruin the nation's passenger rail system.

"A strong national rail system is not just a convenience for travelers," Obama said. "It also serves other important national objectives, such as ensuring multiple travel options in the event of regional or national emergencies, reducing our heavy dependence on foreign oil, and improving air quality."

Obama added the company has shown plans for improving itself and should be given a chance to work through the changes.

Amtrak trains run through stations in both Carbondale and Du Quoin in Southern Illinois.

The Du Quoin station sees an average of 4,400 passengers each year, while Carbondale's station is seen as a vital link for Chicago students attending Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Du Quoin Mayor John Rednour said cutting off the rail line virtually isolates the region from the rest of the state and country.

"That's a terrible thing if it sticks," he said. "We've got 4,400 people that board the trains every year. The highways are getting so crowded anymore and the cost of gasoline is going so high, we don't need to put more people on the road."

Rednour has spoken to congressional officials in recent weeks, promoting Amtrak for his community. He plans to lobby state officials in the near future to show support for keeping the trains running.

Carbondale Mayor Brad Cole said with six months to go before the U.S. government's fiscal year begins Oct. 1, he is confident federal officials will give up something to see Amtrak survives.

"I don't see anything definitive anytime soon, but I'm confident we will come out of this cycle with some funding," Cole said.

In the meantime, Cole said he and other mayors of Amtrak communities are working on a united front of support with both state and U.S. supporters for the system.

"We're absolutely going to stay on top of it," he said.

The Amtrak discussion has even permeated university delegations in Washington, D.C., particularly those from Illinois.

SIU spokesman David Gross, who is in Washington, D.C. this week with university president James Walker, said Amtrak has been a topic among representatives from SIU and the University of Illinois.

He said there is an argument to be made from the education standpoint in Illinois.

"With 3,000 kids who come down from Chicago to campus, I think you can make that case or at least provide that information," Gross said.

More than 25 million passengers boarded Amtrak trains last year, 3 million of which were in Illinois.

caleb.hale@;thesouthern.com

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