All about the Autotrain

[lynz421]

I wrote Amtrak about our displeasure with the change but also understand the reasoning. I asked them for priority car service as a no cost good faith gesture of customer service. I received a response gladly offering me a $50 credit, the equiv of 1 priority car service(early unloading) which we will use in Sanford.

I would still like to see the menu and amenities return but will not stop using the AT in the future.

 

[Vickie1016]

After receiving the direct phone numbers to Lorton & Sanford stations, I called yesterday about the menu.

A very nice person answered and responded to the menu changes. Here is what I was told:

Yes the sleeper menu has changed. Sleeper & Coach dinner menu now have the same offering - Braised Beef, Baked Lemon Pepper Cod, Chicken Marsala, Pasta Florentine, Choo-Choo chewies & DiJourno Pizza.

I did not ask about any of the other possible / confirmed changes that has or will take place. My main concern was the dinner options for DD8.

Hope this helps others when planning for your upcoming trips.

Personally, I do not think we will take the Auto Train round trip next year. Maybe just the return trip (and I am not sure if even that).

 

[huggiebear23]

After receiving the direct phone numbers to Lorton & Sanford stations, I called yesterday about the menu. A very nice person answered and responded to the menu changes. Here is what I was told: Yes the sleeper menu has changed. Sleeper & Coach dinner menu now have the same offering - Braised Beef, Baked Lemon Pepper Cod, Chicken Marsala, Pasta Florentine, Choo-Choo chewies & DiJourno Pizza. I did not ask about any of the other possible / confirmed changes that has or will take place. My main concern was the dinner options for DD8. Hope this helps others when planning for your upcoming trips. Personally, I do not think we will take the Auto Train round trip next year. Maybe just the return trip (and I am not sure if even that).

Thanks for the update.. I love that they added pizza my dd will be happy. I was going coach anyway

 

[bdcp]

We're not that concerned with the changes. We are still getting a decent dinner. Breakfast has never been that great for me as I dont' drink milk so dry cereal and bagels do nothing but make me hungry in an hour since they are pure carbs. I always bring snacks, wine, etc. We're going on the AT in Feb for a cruise and I'll bring snack items plus possibly instant oatmeal since I can get hot water in the sleeper car. I can eat it in our roomette. That'll keep me fuller than the breakfast they have always provided. We usually go to breakfast at 6, so I can eat in our room before we get into the station. The train, for us, is transportation and there will always be change.

 

[huggiebear23]

I can deal with all of the food changes, I just don't want a delay in the schedule. I have to meet my hubby for his work gala at the swan..

 

[bdcp]

I can deal with all of the food changes, I just don't want a delay in the schedule. I have to meet my hubby for his work gala at the swan..

Schedules are completely out of Amtrak's hands. They don't control the weather or own the tracks. We always go a day earlier than we need to when we take the train, not just because it's a train but because anytime you're traveling any distance, there can be a delay.

 

[Gillian]

I just booked the AT for Christmas, because it was still less expensive than flights plus parking plus rental car for 2 weeks. Sleepers were crazy expensive so we're going to suffer in coach again. The kids don't care. It's just mom and dad who go crazy.
We always bring snacks and drinks like we would for a road trip. I'm picky and won't eat any of the dinner choices anyway. I have to contact them and see if they do special meals. I'm pretty sure some passengers in our car last time special ordered meals, but I doubt they'll do gluten-free vegan. Guess it can't hurt to ask.

 

[tommyvr]

Question, in the Superliner Bedrooms, are you able to put a bed rail on the lower bed. I know there are straps on the upper bunk, but I am looking for a way to keep my 2yr old from rolling off.

Worst case, my wife or I would sleep with him.

Thanks in advance.

 

[monorailsilver]

Question, in the Superliner Bedrooms, are you able to put a bed rail on the lower bed. I know there are straps on the upper bunk, but I am looking for a way to keep my 2yr old from rolling off.

Worst case, my wife or I would sleep with him.

Thanks in advance.

Less is better and I mean taking less on the train is better so I would avoid bringing the bed rail and sleep with him. I slept with my 8 yo on the bottom bunk and we had plenty of room.

I wouldn't let my 2 yo sleep on the top with the straps. That would make me nervous.

But yeah the less you bring the better especially since you have to haul it up those stairs.

 

[kmjc]

Question, in the Superliner Bedrooms, are you able to put a bed rail on the lower bed. I know there are straps on the upper bunk, but I am looking for a way to keep my 2yr old from rolling off. Worst case, my wife or I would sleep with him. Thanks in advance.

Try a pool noodle under the bottom sheet. It works and is easier and more lightweight to carry. You can fold it up and put it in a duffel bag.

 

[tommyvr]

Thanks for the replies. I would never put my 2yr old on the top bunk. Way too dangerous.

I like the noodle idea, we are bringing one anyway.

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

I have slept with my children on the lower bunk. Just sleep in opposite directions. Never had a problem of any of them rolling off the bunk. Last Year I slept with dd10 AND ds6 on the lower bunk of the deluxe bedroom! we actually all fit. I had the kids on opposite ends and I took the edge. It worked.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!!

 

[i*heart*minniemouse]

Lots of posts here and this may have been asked before...do you drive your own vehicle on the train? Their website states you should lock your luggage-except carry on-in your trunk. I am not sure my car has a valet key...it is a push button start. ??? Maybe I need to read the owners manual
Has anyone had issues with scratches?

 

[poison ivy]

Lots of posts here and this may have been asked before...do you drive your own vehicle on the train? Their website states you should lock your luggage-except carry on-in your trunk. I am not sure my car has a valet key...it is a push button start. ??? Maybe I need to read the owners manual
Has anyone had issues with scratches?

No. Your vehicle is loaded and offloaded by Amtrak employees.

 

[monorailsilver]

Lots of posts here and this may have been asked before...do you drive your own vehicle on the train? Their website states you should lock your luggage-except carry on-in your trunk. I am not sure my car has a valet key...it is a push button start. ??? Maybe I need to read the owners manual
Has anyone had issues with scratches?

They video your car before it goes on. They have a pointer type of thing and point out each scratch, dent, mark at that time.

We have a van so our luggage was in the back, not locked. We did bring the valuable stuff-camera, laptop, kids, etc...

 

[i*heart*minniemouse]

I figured they did the loading and unloading. Not sure what locking your luggage in the trunk does if you do not have or even carry a valet key. I guess it comes down to trust. We are going to use on our way home in December. If it is a good experience, we will do it all the time for the trip home.

 

[bdcp]

Lots of posts here and this may have been asked before...do you drive your own vehicle on the train? Their website states you should lock your luggage-except carry on-in your trunk. I am not sure my car has a valet key...it is a push button start. ??? Maybe I need to read the owners manual
Has anyone had issues with scratches?

My car has a push button start and there is a valet "key". Valet keys only work on glove compartments because the trunk has a release inside the vehicle. We have taken SUV's on all but one trip and never worried about our luggage. We lock our luggage, but it's not locked up anywhere.

No scratches. We have only had one issue ever and that was a side view mirror that was broken so it swung free. They fold the side view mirrors in so they're not in the way of anything. We've taken the train round trip 5 times. We've taken a minivan, a honda accord, honda pilot and next year my brand new toyota highlander. I've seen multiple expensive luxury cars on our trips too.

 

[Vickie1016]

Has anyone recently traveled on the Auto Train?? My family's trip is in three weeks.

 

[kmjc]

Has anyone recently traveled on the Auto Train?? My family's trip is in three weeks.

I will be riding on the AT southbound tomorrow. I will return and post about the experience soon. I am hoping that the tropical storm/hurricaine Arthur does not disrupt the schedule too much.

 

[bdcp]

I will be riding on the AT southbound tomorrow. I will return and post about the experience soon. I am hoping that the tropical storm/hurricaine Arthur does not disrupt the schedule too much.

Arthur should have no impact at all since it's supposed to stay off the coast and away from the train tracks used by the AT.