All about the Autotrain

[Capt_BJ]

Starting to pack and remembering posts about it being chilly on the train at night and to bring our own blankets. Does this mean a throw or a full fledged blanket? We are in roomettes and bringing long pjs. I hate not being able to sleep due to bring cold.

on my two roomette experiences I was HOT all night . . .

 

[pepe of ohio]

on my two roomette experiences I was HOT all night . . .

Same for me on all our roomettes experiences... Those controls do very little .....coach seats we freeze when the sun goes down.... No more roomettes for us!

 

[Disneyholic]

on my two roomette experiences I was HOT all night . . .

DH & I had the same problem on our last trip. We spent the night on top of the covers and still couldn't get cool. I tried adjusting the air, but it didn't get any better. Then they turned off the air when we got to the station & the deluxe sleeper we were in became very stuffy before we were allowed to get off.

 

[jwboucher]

Starting to pack and remembering posts about it being chilly on the train at night and to bring our own blankets. Does this mean a throw or a full fledged blanket? We are in roomettes and bringing long pjs. I hate not being able to sleep due to bring cold.

We just rode the train to Sanford on 6/6 it was too warm for a blanket but we were in coach. I noticed when walking through the cars to get to the dining car that some were cooler than others.

 

[Tallent]

Ok so I think instead we'll wear light pjs and bring a throw blanket as a just in case.

 

[princesspwrhr]

Hope you got a blanket, gets real chili when the sun goes down....

It was uncomfortably warm last week in coach. It was that temp that's okay alone but when you put a lot of bodies in one place you start to perspire ever so slightly and it makes you uncomfortable. The air conditioner wasn't working or something.

I remember being comfortable 5 years ago.

 

[lpizzuro123]

It was uncomfortably warm last week in coach. It was that temp that's okay alone but when you put a lot of bodies in one place you start to perspire ever so slightly and it makes you uncomfortable. The air conditioner wasn't working or something.

I remember being comfortable 5 years ago.

We are usually cold on the train in the evening.

Linda

 

[Henlady]

I find the train very "stuffy" as in "dead air", so I always bring along a very small electric fan, plug it in at our seat and place it on the little drop down table so that it blows toward me. That cures that uncomfortable feeling. Then again, I am seldom cold, and I cannot stand any heat/humidity. I can always put something on if I'm chilly, but I can't always take enough off if I'm too warm.

 

[jlhill4444]

I found the sleeper cars to be stuffy when the beds were down. I think the top bunks blocked the air to the bottom because my kids said they were cold. Other than that I was comfy in capris and a t-shirt.

 

[Selket]

Anyone who has travelled in the summer know how hot the stuff in your car gets? I would assume it gets really hot and it is not climate controlled but wanted to see if anyone knows for sure.

 

[chartle]

Anyone who has travelled in the summer know how hot the stuff in your car gets? I would assume it gets really hot and it is not climate controlled but wanted to see if anyone knows for sure.

The car carriers are not climate controlled but your car is under cover. Also remember most of your travel is in the dark and early morning so when you pick it up it should be pretty cool.

So it may get hot, but its not like its sitting unexposed in the hot sun for the entire trip. At most 7 hours from say 2 pm to 9 pm. But I wouldn't want to store milk in the car. What is your concern?

Now that I think about it our one trip down was in late August and when we got into the car it was cool but the drivers may turn on the AC as they are driving it out. Also they keep at least the driver's window open just to make sure they don't accidentally lock your keys in your car.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Retracted

 

[chartle]

It was answered for us one trip , Amtrak, that temps were preset.... Hottest time of the day.... Cool to a little chilly... Then when the sun sets, A/C still pumping away to make coach car... quite cold, hence our taking blankets to ward off the cold!

Pretty sure the PP was asking about their car. Not the temp in their train car.

 

[Selket]

Pretty sure the PP was asking about their car. Not the temp in their train car.

Yes I do mean the vehicle that is loaded onto the train - how hot it gets inside. I travel with a lot of medical supplies and some are somewhat sensitive to heat. I will bring it with me and store inside the train.

Do you think a cooler full of ice and a few things would remain cold?

 

[chartle]

Yes I do mean the vehicle that is loaded onto the train - how hot it gets inside. I travel with a lot of medical supplies and some are somewhat sensitive to heat. I will bring it with me and store inside the train.

Do you think a cooler full of ice and a few things would remain cold?

It should but it depends. Is this just a few soft drinks or someones insulin?

Also depending on where you are coming from and if or if not you restock the ice its not just time on the train, it's also the trip there. For us that's 24 hours from start of drive to getting the car back.

 

[Tallent]

We completed the southbound part of our trip at the beginning of the week and I have to say I'm now a true fan of the auto train I was a bit chilly in the room at night and was glad I'd brought the extra throw blanket. Ds ended up switching beds with me in the roomette and so I ended up in the top. Horrible night of sleep---but that being said I was so grateful to be able to lay down--I couldn't imagine doing it sitting up or reclining. I'm thinking our next trip we may try and drive down and then auto train back up. Thank you to everyone for all of your wonderful advice and opinions!!

 

[Marshay]

We completed the southbound part of our trip at the beginning of the week and I have to say I'm now a true fan of the auto train I was a bit chilly in the room at night and was glad I'd brought the extra throw blanket. Ds ended up switching beds with me in the roomette and so I ended up in the top. Horrible night of sleep---but that being said I was so grateful to be able to lay down--I couldn't imagine doing it sitting up or reclining. I'm thinking our next trip we may try and drive down and then auto train back up. Thank you to everyone for all of your wonderful advice and opinions!!

Glad to hear you liked the train. Sorry you couldn't sleep that well. I've done both top and bottom bunk and greatly prefer the bottom. I seem to feel the sway more on the upper bunks and kept waking up.

Of course sleeping is also easier if you get a 'to-go' cup of wine after dinner...

 

[BonnieA]

Of course sleeping is also easier if you get a 'to-go' cup of wine after dinner...

They will give you a to-go cup? wow I'll have to remember that.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Yes I do mean the vehicle that is loaded onto the train - how hot it gets inside. I travel with a lot of medical supplies and some are somewhat sensitive to heat. I will bring it with me and store inside the train.

Do you think a cooler full of ice and a few things would remain cold?

I would think a large enough cooler full of mostly ice and a few things would stay cool enough for the 24 hours total it might be in the car. However all the ice may be gone by the time you get there. If you can find it use block ice, it lasts longer. You can also get dry ice. Or freeze water in water bottles and/or gallon water jugs.

Also, if you wrap the cooler with layers of blankets it will add extra insulation. We can normally get several days from a cooler so you should be able to get one full day. The train is in motion most of the time.

 

[GoldenOldie]

Make your own block ice for the cooler.

Rinse out an empty gallon milk/water container, then fill about 1/2 way with water. Freeze for 24 hours. Cut the plastic bottle off with scissors or a box cutter. You're left with a nice convenient block of ice to use in the cooler. Repeat as desired to make as many blocks as you need.