 Following studies that indicated a market for direct service between the Tidewater and the Northeast, Amtrak replaced the "Riley" section with the New York City-Newport News "Colonial" on June 15, 1976.The "Colonial" served as an extension of the southbound "Mount Vernon" (which was already called "Colonial" on Saturdays) and the northbound "Betsy Ross".It used new Amfleet coaches, unlike the aging ex-C&O passenger cars used on the "Riley".