All about the Autotrain

[chartle]

Is there a "Quiet Car" for those traveling coach who don't want the noise of children and electronics?

They supposedly separate the families with young children from the those without but I have never heard of a no electronics car. It would be pretty hard to control.

The only way to get that is a sleeper.

 

[pwdebbie]

They supposedly separate the families with young children from the those without but I have never heard of a no electronics car. It would be pretty hard to control.

The only way to get that is a sleeper.

I didn't mean no electronics, just electronics that have to be kept silent, which is what's required on a regular Amtrak quiet car. I can't imagine many people would be willing to go electronic-less for a long trip!

 

[bdcp]

I didn't mean no electronics, just electronics that have to be kept silent, which is what's required on a regular Amtrak quiet car. I can't imagine many people would be willing to go electronic-less for a long trip!

No, there really isn't. It's expected that people will be courteous and aware of the people around them. Most people bring headphones because you really can't hear very well (without turning the volume way up)with the noise of the train anyway. There is not a quiet car like there is on Acela. As far as I know, regular Amtrak doesn't have quiet cars. From our trips on Amtrak, we've only seen it on Acela. The families with young children are kept separate from families with older children and adults. Typically they try to put the snowbirds together too. Our experience in 2/3 trips is that way. One trip, we ended up in a car of adults and snowbirds. I hate to say it, but the snowbirds were noisier and got up a lot more than the families with older kids did. Some of the snowbirds have balance issues and two different people fell on our last trip just walking through the train. One trip on the Auto train we had a young adult talk on her cell phone non-stop til her battery died around 2 am.

 

[pwdebbie]

One trip, we ended up in a car of adults and snowbirds. I hate to say it, but the snowbirds were noisier and got up a lot more than the families with older kids did. Some of the snowbirds have balance issues and two different people fell on our last trip just walking through the train.

Um, my dh would be one of the ones up a lot (trips to the restroom -- I think I know where all the WDW restrooms are!) AND he has balance issues (one of my concerns about the train). I honestly thought about the handicap bedroom and having our meals brought to us just so he wouldn't have to navigate the train and would have more space, but it seems from the website that room is reserved for folks in wheelchairs and only made available to others if it hasn't been booked one week before departure. (Dh isn't in a wheelchair; his disability is invisible.) The other drawback to that room is that I would be in the top bunk. I'm not exactly keen on that if I have to get down in the middle of the night to assist him. I can just picture something happening . . .

 

[MamaPotts]

pwdebbie, we were in a handicapped room both ways on our trip last summer. I am not in a wheelchair though I do travel with an ECV to WDW, and use a walker when I go out. My disability is also invisible though I used a wheelchair to and from the train car (it was a long walk!). I reserved the room when I made our reservations (note: you can't do it online; you have to talk with someone).

I posted pics of the room a few pages back. There is a curtain that separates the "business end" of the roomette from the sleeping/sitting area.

The positives: the room steward does get all your meals for you (and I tipped accordingly), and also makes up the room. The roommette itself was very convenient. Only a few steps INSIDE your roommette to the "facilities."

The negatives: the beds are very hard. My son was able to sleep. I dind't fall asleep until around 4 or 5 in the morning as I was so uncomforable. Maybe bringing a foam topper would have helped. I also definitely would bring pillows and a light blanket next time around.

My teen slept on the top bunk. There is a net of sorts that "keeps you in." However, depending on your own mobility, sleeping on any of the top bunks might be an issue.

I have thought about travelling coach our next Autotrain trip (post-surgery I sleep in a recliner so this may not be so different). I have found in my reading, that a steward will get food for you as well if you are travelling with a disability (visible or not).

Hope that helps!

 

[MamaPotts]

they do not offer gluten free meals on any amtrak trains.
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=Page&pagename=am/Layout&cid=1241337915248

That's certainly a disappointment.

When we travelled last summer, I had vegan meals and they were quite good. However, breakfast was a problem. Luckily, I had packed snacks.

 

[ktrain]

Auto Train does not have gluten free meals, however the menu can be adjusted to offer a plain chicken breast with baked potato and steamed veggies or steak, with no sauce, also with baked potato and veggies. So dinner would not be a problem. For breakfast a guest would have to bring their own cereal or bread product. Milk, bananas, jelly, etc... would be available to round out the rest of the meal. Hope this helps.

 

[mjfisherdc]

Has anybody taken a large SUV on and had any problems? I booked oversize, but am nervous about the width. I called Amtrak and they said they weren't worried about the height, but I don't want to get down there and be turned away.

I have a Chrysler Aspen. It is about the same size as a Lincoln Navigator, Dodge Durango or Chevy Suburban.

Also, thanks for the tips on the gluten free meals. I will definitely pack snacks for him.

 

[bdcp]

Has anybody taken a large SUV on and had any problems? I booked oversize, but am nervous about the width. I called Amtrak and they said they weren't worried about the height, but I don't want to get down there and be turned away.

I have a Chrysler Aspen. It is about the same size as a Lincoln Navigator, Dodge Durango or Chevy Suburban.

Also, thanks for the tips on the gluten free meals. I will definitely pack snacks for him.

We have a Honda Pilot, but I have seen Expeditions, Suburbans, etc and they fit no problem. I'm pretty sure the car carriers are made to carry all personal use vehicles (non-commercial).

I just did a quick search and the Navigator (~78.8 inches) is only about 1 inch wider than my Pilot (~77.5 inches), and an Aspen is about 76 inches wide so, yeah, no problem since the Aspen is the smallest of these.

 

[pwdebbie]

MamaPotts, thanks for referring me back to your pics -- which you posted at my request! The brain -- it's a terrible thing to lose! I still think it's a shame they don't put the coach seats in private roomettes instead of making beds out of the chairs. The chairs really don't look at all comfy -- to straight and stiff looking -- whereas the coach seats look very inviting.

 

[kinphilly]

I would love to arrive with a packed cooler of Trader Joes stuff ... food I trust to not be too much chemical junk and yet tastes good / is easy for vacation meals. But I'm wondering how hot it gets in the auto carrier cars? Anyone have any idea?

For instance, has your deodorant or chapstick melted in the car?

Thanks!

K in Philly

 

[christinou]

We generally take the train in February so we have more issued with freezing than Heat, I would think that in the summer it would get really hot

 

[chartle]

I would love to arrive with a packed cooler of Trader Joes stuff ... food I trust to not be too much chemical junk and yet tastes good / is easy for vacation meals. But I'm wondering how hot it gets in the auto carrier cars? Anyone have any idea?

For instance, has your deodorant or chapstick melted in the car?

Thanks!

K in Philly

The auto carriers are not sealed up but kind of open at the top kind of like a cattle car. So I don't think the train car will add anymore heat.

The good part is most of the trip is at night and therefor cooler. For us though it would have to last more than 24 hours since we would leave at 9:00 am day 1 and get there 9:00 am day 2.

I guess you could fill up with ice before you load the train.

 

[mjfisherdc]

we have a "5 day cooler" and I plan on using it to pack some food for our trip and leave in the car.

We had it outside for 48 hours last weekend and there was still ice left in it. The other, smaller, "regular" cooler we had to add ice to after about 20-24 hours.

So if you don't have one look for a "5 day cooler"

 

[kinphilly]

Thanks all - I do have one of those 5 days coolers, that is supposed to be good for 5 days in up to 90 degree heat - so I thikn I will pack it tight with frozen food and ice ..... and therefore spend less time shopping and more time in Disney that first day!!

 

[Cupmom]

bump

 

[kidd_freeper]

Can a minivan with a rooftop luggage carrier fit on the autotrain?

 

[Capt_BJ]

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=Page&pagename=am/Layout&cid=1241337915810

max height is 88 inches - you may be classified as an oversized vehicle and charged accordingly. checkin for oversized is minimum of 2 hours b4.

 

[chartle]

Can a minivan with a rooftop luggage carrier fit on the autotrain?

Pretty sure no, its listed somewhere on the AT site*, but this is what I saw once.

I minivan pulls up to the unload point, everyone gets out, they remove everything from the carrier and load it into all the available seats. They then removed the carrier and put it in the back of the van.

Remember you only have to leave the driver's seat clear.

I would practice before you go to make sure you have enough room and the transfer goes smoothly. When you get out of your car they don't rush you but it just feels that way.

*found it http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=Page&pagename=am/Layout&cid=1241337915810

Oversized Vehicle

Check-In
At least 2 hours before scheduled departure.

65-88 inches in height and 182 inches or greater in length.

- Maximum width: 84 inches.

- Ground clearance: at least 4 inches.

Empty, factory-installed ski and luggage racks are okay; temporary luggage and bicycle racks are not. Luggage and bicycles may not be attached to the roof. Bicycles in bicycle racks may be attached to the back of the vehicle only. No dual wheel vehicles.

max height is 88 inches - you may be classified as an oversized vehicle and charged accordingly. checkin for oversized is minimum of 2 hours b4.

Pretty sure a minivan is already an oversize vehicle.

 

[Capt_BJ]

Pretty sure no, its listed somewhere on the AT site, but this is what I saw once.

I minivan pulls up to the unload point, everyone gets out, they remove everything from the carrier and load it into all the available seats. They then removed the carrier and put it in the back of the van.

Remember you only have to leave the driver's seat clear.

I would practice before you go to make sure you have enough room and the transfer goes smoothly. When you get out of your car they don't rush you but it just feels that way.

which is a good plan as you would avoid the oversized vehicle charge . . .

and correct, only empty perm installed racks are allowed

"Empty, factory-installed ski and luggage racks are okay; temporary luggage and bicycle racks are not. Luggage and bicycles may not be attached to the roof. Bicycles in bicycle racks may be attached to the back of the vehicle only. No dual wheel vehicles."