All about the Autotrain

[jwboucher]

Where are the sleep cars located?

 

[NJRRK]

Where are the sleep cars located?

Don't worry they're connected to the rest of the train and everyone gets there at the same time.

Other than that I'm curious why you would need to know this.

 

[jwboucher]

Don't worry they're connected to the rest of the train and everyone gets there at the same time. Other than that I'm curious why you would need to know this.

I was reading that they were up front and the whistle will keep you awake. I did ride coach one way this year and could hear the whistle all night but it wasn't too loud. We were pretty far back from the engine.

 

[NJRRK]

I was reading that they were up front and the whistle will keep you awake. I did ride coach one way this year and could hear the whistle all night but it wasn't too loud. We were pretty far back from the engine.

Ok that makes some sense. I'll tell you this, I've ridden the auto train 10 times always in a sleeper and never has the whistlekept me awake. Ymmv.

 

[bdcp]

I was reading that they were up front and the whistle will keep you awake. I did ride coach one way this year and could hear the whistle all night but it wasn't too loud. We were pretty far back from the engine.

I honestly haven't paid attention enough to remember where the cars are, but I will say, the whistle can be an issue if you're in the first couple of cars. Especially when you're going through all the at grade crossings the farther south you go. There's usually info on line that says what the consists are. I'll try to search and find info.

I did a quick google. See this link:http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/index.php?/topic/32610-line-numbersconsist-listings/

It appears half of the sleepers are at the front, just behind the crew dorm car.

 

[jwboucher]

I honestly haven't paid attention enough to remember where the cars are, but I will say, the whistle can be an issue if you're in the first couple of cars. Especially when you're going through all the at grade crossings the farther south you go. There's usually info on line that says what the consists are. I'll try to search and find info. I did a quick google. See this link:http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/index.php?/topic/32610-line-numbersconsist-listings/ It appears half of the sleepers are at the front, just behind the crew dorm car.

Thanks for helping. It's getting close to the time for me to make my reservation for next year so I wanted info when I make my roomette request.

 

[Capt_BJ]

Where are the sleep cars located?

sounds like a flippant answer but 'it depends'

as I recall, the train is put together as

roomettes - sleeper rooms - lounge - diners - lounge - coaches

and it is not 'turned around, rather the engines change ends depending on direction and the car carriers are at the other end, bringing up the rear. When I traveled north the roomettes WERE right behind the engines and the horns and since I had the FIRST roomette car behind them I did not sleep much. On a later SOUTH trip I was again roomette but at the far end and not as bad noise wise.

all this WAS a while back, so MAYBE there has been a change but the railroad logistics (switching) of reversing the 'consist' every trip would be daunting to say the least.

 

[Ngwira]

We booked our southbound train for mid August 2014. Got a family bedroom for $252. Now I am stalking the amtrak website for northbound trains. They are expensive!

 

[Larnmerv]

Hey everyone...
I'm headed to Florida on the Auto Train on Sat Oct 12. My husband and I are traveling coach with our 3 and 1 year old sons for a week long vaca in WDW. Has anyone ever dared to take very young kids on this journey? My husband is an Amtrak employee and there's a slim chance we'll be upgraded to a sleeper but I'm just assuming we'll be staying in coach. If anyone feels like giving me a bit of a rundown of the evening I'd really appreciate it! We're bringing sleep stuff for the kiddos (pjs, nap mats, bears etc) but are pillows available on the train for my husband and myself? How about blankets...do I need to bring my own? I know sleeping in coach may be a bit difficult and we already know we'll be quite tired the next day but I do want to be as comfortable as possible without carrying a ton of stuff onboard! Also, is the café car open the entire trip or only after dinner hours are over? We're very excited for this adventure but any tips are welcome! Thanks.
Lauren

 

[jwboucher]

We booked our southbound train for mid August 2014. Got a family bedroom for $252. Now I am stalking the amtrak website for northbound trains. They are expensive!

I have been watching this too.. It's a lot more going north.

 

[Vickie1016]

We booked our southbound train for mid August 2014. Got a family bedroom for $252. Now I am stalking the amtrak website for northbound trains. They are expensive!

I have been watching this too.. It's a lot more going north.

Same here - booked southbound for July 2014 for same price I paid this year. Northbound is $500 more!!! I have been checking everyday hoping the price drops. Really don't want to drive home.

 

[lindap1]

We took the AT in 2011 and we were in a sleeper car...we barely even heard the train horn..I mean barely..lol. We have a family bedroom this time and paid 247 each way and that was in November of last year that I purchased it. Ended up paying 1300 for it all ...tickets and car and room

 

[lindap1]

Just remember..the earlier you book the cheaper it is

 

[Marshay]

Guess we got lucky! We taken the train each year now since 2008, once coach and the rest family car and have never heard the train whistle.

 

[bdcp]

Hey everyone...
I'm headed to Florida on the Auto Train on Sat Oct 12. My husband and I are traveling coach with our 3 and 1 year old sons for a week long vaca in WDW. Has anyone ever dared to take very young kids on this journey? My husband is an Amtrak employee and there's a slim chance we'll be upgraded to a sleeper but I'm just assuming we'll be staying in coach. If anyone feels like giving me a bit of a rundown of the evening I'd really appreciate it! We're bringing sleep stuff for the kiddos (pjs, nap mats, bears etc) but are pillows available on the train for my husband and myself? How about blankets...do I need to bring my own? I know sleeping in coach may be a bit difficult and we already know we'll be quite tired the next day but I do want to be as comfortable as possible without carrying a ton of stuff onboard! Also, is the café car open the entire trip or only after dinner hours are over? We're very excited for this adventure but any tips are welcome! Thanks.
Lauren

We haven't but we have seen tons of families with all ages of kids. Since they put the families together there's plenty of kids to play with. When we walk through the family car in the am for breakfast, kids are asleep everywhere. Kids sleep really well on the train, usually much better than the adults do.

 

[chartle]

Also, is the café car open the entire trip or only after dinner hours are over? We're very excited for this adventure but any tips are welcome! Thanks.
Lauren

Once dinner is over you can't sit in the dining cars but the lounge car remains open and some people will stay up all night talking and playing cards and the like.

Not sure which one these cars you are calling the "Cafe" car.

Not sure if a server/bartender stays up all night.

 

[BeastsFlower]

Silly question but does anyone know how they clean the seats and sleeper cars? Thanks.

 

[chartle]

Silly question but does anyone know how they clean the seats and sleeper cars? Thanks.

Well as for the seats I'm going to assume that they only clean them if something actually is dumped on them most likely the same for sleeper cars.

Maybe a quick vacuum. Similar to an airline.

 

[Sadie22]

We had a roomette whenever we took the AutoTrain, but I saw signs last trip that they were going to be selling "comfort kits" on the train for coach passengers, consisting of a bag containing a neck pillow, blanket, and earphones, and one or two other items I cannot recall. I think the cost was under $10 each. The free pillow and blankets were gong away in favor of this.

http://www.amtrak.com/auto-train-your-car-your-stuff-and-you

This page refers to the cafe car where snacks can be purchased between meals. I've never been to it.

 

[shafke]

Same here - booked southbound for July 2014 for same price I paid this year. Northbound is $500 more!!! I have been checking everyday hoping the price drops. Really don't want to drive home.

Last time we took the train in Aug 2012 the prices were similar to what I am seeing now for the return portion of the trip for the same time period in 2014. About 2 weeks after the return booking date became available the price dropped significantly. Hoping for the same this time. Right not returning is almost 500 more than going down.

If the price does not come down we will either drive home or look in to flying. We would probably be able to fly and rent a car for cheaper than the price is now. Previously it had been about break even.