The company will run a demonstration passenger train with room for 300 people round-trip among Atlanta, Augusta and Savannah.

''It will be the first Amtrak train in Augusta in the history of the city,'' Mr. Young said.

He said exact dates have not been set but added that the train probably will come through the weekend of Nov. 9.

Although the demonstration train will make a brief appearance, area residents could be making regular connections to a nearby terminal by the end of the month, officials said.

Amtrak must finalize a contract to provide bus service between Augusta and Columbia's train terminal. City officials will promote a demonstration passenger train visiting Augusta in November.

''We're close to reaching an agreement to establish connecting bus service between Augusta and Columbia, South Carolina, where it would meet up with an Amtrak train and Amtrak service,'' said Kevin Johnson, a spokesman for the company.

Mr. Young said Amtrak is in the process of negotiating a contract with Southeastern Stages Inc., which operates a station on Greene Street, to provide the bus service.

City officials pushed for the bus connection as a quick solution when Amtrak officials visited Augusta in June.

Mr. Young also said he expects to receive a report in a few weeks from Amtrak about the potential of rerouting the Star Line through Columbia and Savannah through Augusta.

''That's going to be an important issue for us, because that will get a train to Augusta as opposed to a bus,'' he said. ''Certainly we're not going to turn down the bus - you've got to start somewhere.''

Mr. Young returned Wednesday from Atlanta, where he met with other mayors and commissioners from across the state and suggested forming a caucus to promote passenger rail concerns.

Reach Vicky Eckenrode at (706) 823-3227 or vicky.eckenrode@augustachronicle.com