All about the Autotrain

[vllygrrl]

Just announced

Auto Train Cancelled

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Amtrak announced that it has canceled south and northbound Auto Trains for Tuesday and Wednesday. The Auto Train operates between Lorton, Virginia, and Sanford, Florida.

A spokesperson said the cancellations were made so the company can assess a mechanical problem with some of the trains' auto carriers and were made only as a precaution, not because of any problems.

The spokesperson also said the rail company will make a service restoration estimate when the manufacturer recommends a course of action.

Fingers crossed that this is resolved QUICKLY!

 

[bdcp]

We just got home Sat on the AT. DH was not amused when I told him that it was cancelled because he would prefer to fly and asked what we would do if it happened to us. I told him, as we've talked about before, we would drive. I wonder what the issue is. We were early getting in on Sat am, even with the storms Fri night.

 

[sraiford]

Hey - my family is travelling down on the Nov 28 train too! We're returning on the 7th.

We are booked on the train for Thanksgiving day Nov 27 arriving in FL on the 28th. Are you on the train Thursday or Friday? Enjoy your trip.
Hoping there are no problems like cancelling!

 

[wall*e2008]

Just announced

Auto Train Cancelled

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amtrak announced that it has canceled south and northbound Auto Trains for Tuesday and Wednesday. The Auto Train operates between Lorton, Virginia, and Sanford, Florida.

A spokesperson said the cancellations were made so the company can assess a mechanical problem with some of the trains' auto carriers and were made only as a precaution, not because of any problems.

The spokesperson also said the rail company will make a service restoration estimate when the manufacturer recommends a course of action.

http://www.wesh.com/travelgetaways/18009714/detail.html?rss=orl&psp=news

 

[vllygrrl]

Oooh. Looks like it won't run until at least Friday.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/seminole/orl-amtrak-111908,0,3674740.story

 

[labdogs42]

We booked in September for our Nov 28-Dec 6 trip. We got a great special they were running. We paid $68 per adult and kids were half price. Our total for 2Adults/2children was $204 each way for our seats plus the cost of the car. Just keep checking the website for deals.

Wow -- great price! Do you know if you can re-book at the better price if you book early and then a better price comes out?

Bummer about the train not running right now. I hope they get it figured out!

 

[wall*e2008]

The frames are cracked.

I talked with Amtrak today and all Friday trips are canceled. They don't expect to run the trains until Monday at the earliest.

Due to the possibility of not getting the train in the next few days they canceled our trip down and we now will have to drive. We are still booked for the way back.

 

[sraiford]

Sorry to hear that you will have to drive I am hoping they get this problem fixed. We are booked to leave on the 4PM train Thanksgiving day. We would loose 2 days of our vacation if we end up having to drive. That would not make me happy!

 

[vllygrrl]

Sorry to hear that you will have to drive I am hoping they get this problem fixed. We are booked to leave on the 4PM train Thanksgiving day. We would loose 2 days of our vacation if we end up having to drive. That would not make me happy!

We're in the same boat, leaving the day after you. From what I've read from various places (googled the last 24 hours), the auto carriers were put into service 2-3 years ago, and there are 80 of them. Of the 80, 50 were found with cracks in the undercarraige. They are working round the clock to weld steel plates to the cars to repair the damage. They need 50 carriers operational to resume service, and it will be at least Monday before that happens.

 

[bdcp]

It's been on the news here in the DC area and they just said, in the last minute, that they're hoping to resume service tomorrow. It didn't even hit the tv news until yesterday, but it's been reported regularly since.

 

[wall*e2008]

11/20 - Orlando Sentinal is reporting the soonest service will resume in on Saturday.

 

[SeeDisney]

Alex1963 and others........You can youtube Autotrain. There's a couple of families who videotaped their rooms and the inside of the autotrain.

 

[sraiford]

Just talked with AT person and said that the train was running today to FL!

 

[alex1963]

Thank you SeeDisney! I just looked at them and I can rest easier now. Great suggestion. Amtraks pics are good but do not show the "net" when the beds are down.

 

[disney1990]

Hey - my family is travelling down on the Nov 28 train too! We're returning on the 7th.

That's the same dates we are travelling -- Novembe 28th and December 7. We are going on a 4 night Disney Cruise.

 

[vllygrrl]

That's the same dates we are travelling -- Novembe 28th and December 7. We are going on a 4 night Disney Cruise.

Too funny - we'll be getting on the ship right after you - we're going on a 3 night Disney Cruise!

 

[stone1061]

Is the autotrain cheaper than flying? Trying to figure out how Im getting from NJ the week of April 14th down to port canaveral...flights are astronomical coming home on the 19th...UGH!

 

[DC7800]

Auto-Train fares - including both the passengers and a 'ticket' for your automobile - are often going to be more expensive than comparable air fare. Where Auto-Train quickly becomes less expesnive than flying is in the savings realized from no rental car.

While the flight and rental for just a few days may be somewhat cheaper than the train (although avoiding all the many hassles of air travel is worth real money to many people, in favor of a more civilized train trip...), stay a few days longer and the rental car fees eventually erase any savings - making the air travel option now more expensive than the train and having your own car. Of course, it is also worth something just to have your own car instead of a rental, and be ale to pack however much and whatever you please.

The cost equation also varies based on how many people are traveling, seasonally, and the type of train accomodations selected. Train sleeper accomodations are first-class, and it really isn't fair to make a cost comparison between Amtrak first-class and airline coach.

 

[NJBILL]

Is the autotrain cheaper than flying? Trying to figure out how Im getting from NJ the week of April 14th down to port canaveral...flights are astronomical coming home on the 19th...UGH!

Amtrack Coach fares can be cheaper. You will need to arrange for a taxi to get you to your destination. Amtrak has specials frequently so keep checking..Also, the earlier you buy your ticket, the cheaper it is (generally).

 

[alex1963]

If you take the auto train you have to have a car on board, so no need for a taxi. We just did it and had a great experience. We also felt it a better choice financially because we needed our car with us. The cost of airfare plus car rental was about the same as we paid for the train.