In November Amtrak reduced the running time to 46 hours 40 minutes, after the replacement of the SDP40Fs permitted an easing of speed restrictions. Even as this improved service began, the train was threatened with cancellation. Facing a budget deficit of $60 million, Amtrak identified a half dozen routes which it considered "financially troubled." Amtrak proposed merging the "North Coast Hiawatha" and the "Empire Builder", or even cancelling both. Throughout 1978 no decision was taken, and the two trains continued to provide between them daily service between Chicago and Seattle.