Auto Train trip report with pictures! Part 1

[mikelan6]

My partner and I took the Autotrain south from Lorton to Sanford this past weekend. I took some photos and I'd like to share them with you.

Upon arrival into Lorton, a person at the gate checks your tickets to make sure everything is ok.

A sign welcomes you.

The new Lorton station.

The passenger check in area.

The waiting area.

The gift shop.

The Digital movie and music player rental booth.

The wagons for the automobiles.

A locomotive that takes the automobile wagons and couples them with the passenger wagons.

The children's playground area.

The boarding platform.

The coach superliner wagon.

The track heading South.

The locomotives that pull the whole train.

All Aboard!

The door to our "deluxe" bedroom.

The hallway on the Sleeper's second level.

Our "deluxe" bedroom.

Another view of the bedroom.

... to be continued.

 

[mikelan6]

The coffee and ice area of the sleeper's second level.

The door leading to another wagon.

This small table folded out from the wall.

The toilet / shower in our bedroom.

Part of a smaller "roommette."

Another view of the "roommette."

The stairs leading from level to level on the sleeper car.

Our table in the Sleeper section Dining room car.

The menu for passengers in the sleeper cars.

The Lounge.

The glass enclosed smoking area.

A cozy lounge seating area on the lower level.

The $1.99 per minute rail phone.

One view of the kitchen in the Dining car lower level.

Another view of the kitchen.

A nice view from the train as we headed south.

An empty lounge car.

The train station in Sanford, FL. upon arrival.

The ticketing area in Sanford.

The waiting area in Sanford.

Waiting for the cars to be unloaded from the wagons.

The outdoor waiting area in Sanford.

 

[Henlady]

Thanks Mikelan6 for posting your photos, they are great and adequately portray the train. Can't wait to be back on the Auto Train in June and then again in September. DH & I enjoy train travel.

Kris

 

[disneymom3]

Hey thanks! That was fun to look at.

Although I seriously doubt we would ever take the autotrain since it would be quite a crazy route to WDW for us, we have seriously considered taking the train elsewhere. I am wondering if you have any other pictures of your sleeper car that show the size more? I would love to see them if you do.

Thanks

 

[GoofyinNY]

Thanks for posting these pictures. DH, DS, and I will be taking the Auto Train for the first time on April 11th. Can't wait!!! We've taken the regular train before, but after seeing your photos I'm so excited about the Auto Train. Thank you so much for doing this!!!!

 

[pepe of ohio]

Thanks, that was the best report I've ever seen on these boards. Good photos, short and to the point, everything anyone would want to see about the Autotrain.

 

[lookingforward]

Thanks for the great report! We traveled on the Auto Train a few years ago and booked a family sleeper. It did not have a private bathroom but had four beds. It was on the lower floor of the sleeper car so we shared a bathroom with only one other room. The steward was so nice to the kids, even provided them with board games,etc. The dining car was great and when you return to your sleeper they have turned down the lights and beds. They even offer to bring you a continental breakfast to your cabin. I loved it!

 

[mikelan6]

I am wondering if you have any other pictures of your sleeper car that show the size more? I would love to see them if you do.

Thanks

Thanks everyone! The cabins are rather small, so it's difficult to take pictures. I also did not get the chance to take pictures of the coach cars, but they're similar to plane seats, with more legroom.

 

[emmabelle]

Very cool! How long did it take to get your car once you arrived?

 

[GoofyinNY]

Your photographs really are wonderful. You should post this on the train forum at http://www.railforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi/forum/11.html

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

Thank you for posting.

It brings back memories from last years trip.
Cant wait until Aug for this years trip south.

 

[AshAlytwins]

Brings back memories......I wish they would change the menu once in while!!!
We are getting the bedrooms for the first time in November, we usually get 2 of the roomettes!!!!

 

[isyt]

This was great !! I have never done the train and always think about it. How long did you have to wait to unload the cars? Did you get a good enough sleep in the cars? Let me know!!

Thanks

 

[imamicki2]

Thanks so much for the pictures!
We are going in June and my DS is sooo excited. He loved seeing the pictures. Now we all have an idea of what it will be like.
Anyone know where they show the movies? In the lounge cars? And, DS wanted to know if he brought his DVD player, is there a place to charge it? Unfortunately, we are riding coach, not sure if those seats have plugs? He was bummed we don't have a sleeper room though. Oh well, maybe next time.

 

[tigefan]

Mike,
We're going via the Autotrain in December, and I can't wait to show these pics to my fellow travelers. Thanks!!

 

[mikelan6]

Very cool! How long did it take to get your car once you arrived?

It did not take long at all. I'd say 5 minutes after they started calling cars.

 

[mikelan6]

Did you get a good enough sleep in the cars?
Thanks

Actually, we did get a good night's sleep. Especially since we took a little something.

 

[GoofyinNY]

Bump!! (This thread is too good to be on page 2.)

 

[emmabelle]

I think it would be a very cool way to travel. It wouldn't be very convenient for us since we would still have to drive 8 hours to get to Lorton, but if I lived near there I would consider it.

 

[jennypenny]

Does anyone have any pictures of the coach cars???

Thanks for the pics!!
Jenny