Amtrak considered the Shenandoah one of its weakest lines, and the Department of Transportation had recommended its discontinuance in 1979.

[4]: 126–127  The Cincinnati–Cumberland portion never regained passenger rail service, and CSX subsequently abandoned much of the track.

[7] The 1978 switch to overnight service required the train to have sleeping facilities per Interstate Commerce Commission rules.

Amtrak added two sleeping compartments each to a pair of Amfleet coaches (dubbed "Ampad"), which began service on May 3, 1978.

A Congressional mandate resulted in a conventional 10-6 sleeper (10 roomettes and six double bedrooms) being added on October 28, 1979.