All about the Autotrain

[chartle]

Well, the kids are already missing a week of school, so I had planned on leaving around 4 pm; didn't think about Friday rush hour, so guess we'll stick with Sat 8 am.



Well, on our return trip, the kids were still pretty young, and they had us spread out all over the place. We were all in the same car, but we were not near one another. Luckily it was pretty empty so they just had us sit together. That is why I wondered if I should call them or did I need to get there early.

I was once stuck in Friday night rush hour DC traffic it was 8:30PM

 

[JSweetman]

Anyone already take an AutoTrain trip this month? We're leaving Thursday & I'd like to know what the movies are for the month -- thanks!

 

[spima3]

Anyone already take an AutoTrain trip this month? We're leaving Thursday & I'd like to know what the movies are for the month -- thanks!

Hope you enjoy your trip!

We leave in a month, but I have been wondering myself how the train has been running lately.

I think I read on another thread that it was cancelled recently due to a cargo train accident. ?? The family ended up driving to FL.

 

[christinou]

If you go on the Amtrak website you can check the status of the train for the past few days, it seems that it has been running on time most of the time

 

[ClearScreen]

Anyone already take an AutoTrain trip this month? We're leaving Thursday & I'd like to know what the movies are for the month -- thanks!

On the way to Florida, the movie was Free Willy: Escape From Pirate's Cove with Bindi Irwin.

On the way back, they showed Alice in Wonderland(Tim Burton's version) and another movie at 9:15pm. I think it was supposed to be the Bounty Hunter, but the waitress said it would be Valentine's Day. We didn't watch any of them.

Hope you enjoy your trip!

We leave in a month, but I have been wondering myself how the train has been running lately.

I think I read on another thread that it was cancelled recently due to a cargo train accident. ?? The family ended up driving to FL.

We left VA on August 3rd and came back on the 13th. No real problems at all. In fact, we got to Florida almost 2 hours early and back to Virginia 1 hour early.

ClearScreen

 

[disneybarbara]

We're taking the Autotrain for the first time 1 week from today! Can't wait. We are all so excited about it and glad we're not driving down 95 this time!

Nervous that we won't sleep, but partly b/c we'll be too excited about going to Disney! Busy getting our dvd player & ipods loaded up.

Question: Is there an electrical outlet at each coach seat? Just wondering, since our dvd player only has a 4 hr battery. Or is it pot luck if you get seated near an outlet.

 

[spima3]

Question: Is there an electrical outlet at each coach seat? Just wondering, since our dvd player only has a 4 hr battery. Or is it pot luck if you get seated near an outlet.

Yes, I was wondering about this as well. Or do we need to take lots of extra batteries?

 

[lpizzuro123]

We have taken the Autotrain a few times and yes there are electrical outlets by each row of seats. There are also outlets in the lounge car. We love the Autotrain. Have fun. They also show a movie in the lounge car usually twice a night.

Linda

 

[Marshay]

Well, the kids are already missing a week of school, so I had planned on leaving around 4 pm; didn't think about Friday rush hour, so guess we'll stick with Sat 8 am.

Well, on our return trip, the kids were still pretty young, and they had us spread out all over the place. We were all in the same car, but we were not near one another. Luckily it was pretty empty so they just had us sit together. That is why I wondered if I should call them or did I need to get there early.

Sorry to hear you guys were spread out. That is unusual from what they told me and our experience (I asked repeatedly since we had a 1 yr and 5 yr).

And yes, there are outlets for each seat.

Now WiFi is still being added to the train ... I think they said the lounge car had Wifi or that they were going to be testing it.

 

[MdMommy]

My 2 teen daughters and I took the auto train to Florida on July 31st and we arrived maybe 45 minutes early on August 1st. We returned home on August 12th and the train arrived at Lorton 1 1/2 hours early. We reserve lower level seats. There are 12 seats on the lower level of each coach car and since you can't walk through the train on the lower level it tends to be quieter. On the way to Florida, 4 of the 12 seats were empty in our car, even though the upper level was sold out. I was able to spread out over 2 seats. On the trip home, 7 of the 12 seats were empty so everyone was able to spread out. I love taking the train.

 

[Marshay]

My 2 teen daughters and I took the auto train to Florida on July 31st and we arrived maybe 45 minutes early on August 1st. We returned home on August 12th and the train arrived at Lorton 1 1/2 hours early. We reserve lower level seats. There are 12 seats on the lower level of each coach car and since you can't walk through the train on the lower level it tends to be quieter. On the way to Florida, 4 of the 12 seats were empty in our car, even though the upper level was sold out. I was able to spread out over 2 seats. On the trip home, 7 of the 12 seats were empty so everyone was able to spread out. I love taking the train.

Sounds like it worked out really good for you.

When we took the train on July 20th, everyone but us (since we had small children) was spread out in the upper coach seats. When we went down to the lower level seats, it was nearly full with a bunch of elderly and handicapped people. So I guess it just depends how many and what categories of people book.

 

[spima3]

When we took the train on July 20th, everyone but us (since we had small children) was spread out in the upper coach seats. When we went down to the lower level seats, it was nearly full with a bunch of elderly and handicapped people. So I guess it just depends how many and what categories of people book.

We last took the train a few years ago, but this was exactly how it was when we went as well. Actually, I had originally booked the lower level and several people told me this is generally the case, and not the best place for kids. So we changed to upper level. It worked out well.

We'll have to see how it goes this time around.

 

[lucyem]

My young son and I will be traveling on the auto train this fall. I have to be on the lower level. I cannot handle the motion up top. Even going up for dinner is very hard on me. I had read somewhere that Amtrak tries to keep families with kids in one section and people without kids in others. I am hoping there will be other families they can put us with on the lower level.

 

[shadowryter]

Ok all you knowledgable Autotrain pros, I'm about to ask a silly question. LOL. I was searching this thread and found back on post #448 that the doors to the bedrooms only lock from the inside? So if this is true do you all just lug around your valuables? I'd hate to get ripped of like that op did.What's your opinion on this? I'd really like to know as we are traveling down and back in December. TIA
Linda

 

[chartle]

Ok all you knowledgable Autotrain pros, I'm about to ask a silly question. LOL. I was searching this thread and found back on post #448 that the doors to the bedrooms only lock from the inside? So if this is true do you all just lug around your valuables? I'd hate to get ripped of like that op did.What's your opinion on this? I'd really like to know as we are traveling down and back in December. TIA
Linda

Yes don't leave anything valuable in your room.

 

[spima3]

After some research, I found the route we used the last time.

We took US15 all the way to I66 then VA7100, working our way to Lorton. It was a very nice ride, but appears to be longer via googlemaps. But I think it avoids a lot of major traffic areas. ??

Has anyone ever taken this route?

Or would we be better with I 495 to I 95? We're travelling on a Sat so I imagine we won't hit too much traffic in that area? I am not at all familiar with the area, and would like it as hassle free as possible, as I am the only adult in the car with 3 kids.

Anyone offer advice?

 

[Marshay]

My young son and I will be traveling on the auto train this fall. I have to be on the lower level. I cannot handle the motion up top. Even going up for dinner is very hard on me. I had read somewhere that Amtrak tries to keep families with kids in one section and people without kids in others. I am hoping there will be other families they can put us with on the lower level.

I would call Amtrak and tell them you have a lower level ressie and would like to be with other families, if possible. Then when you check in, do the same again. You never know.

When I went, there were only elderly and handicapped in the lower section (but I only checked out our section so I'm sure there will be other families in a lower section somewhere.)

Ok all you knowledgable Autotrain pros, I'm about to ask a silly question. LOL. I was searching this thread and found back on post #448 that the doors to the bedrooms only lock from the inside? So if this is true do you all just lug around your valuables? I'd hate to get ripped of like that op did.What's your opinion on this? I'd really like to know as we are traveling down and back in December. TIA
Linda

The family rooms are no different than the coach seating -- there is no way to lock your stuff up, so don't bring anything valueable on the train (leave in your car in a separate locked box -- remember you give them your car key, so just having in your car alone does not 'guarantee' it) or leave it with you if you are worried. People are walking through the cars all the time...now the family rooms are a bit more separated from the common coach seating, so you don't have as many folks around and you do have a steward for your room, so they get to know who should and should not be in your cabin. But ...

We left our portable DVD player and movies, leapster + games, toys, pillows, coloring books, etc. Was that smart? Well, no, but I wasn't about to drag them all through the train when we went to the dining and lounge cars with two small kids. Besides there is really no place to store them except at your feet in the dining/lounge cars if you are a party of 4...

We did keep our phones, wallets and purse with us at all times.

After some research, I found the route we used the last time.

We took US15 all the way to I66 then VA7100, working our way to Lorton. It was a very nice ride, but appears to be longer via googlemaps. But I think it avoids a lot of major traffic areas. ??

Has anyone ever taken this route?

Or would we be better with I 495 to I 95? We're travelling on a Sat so I imagine we won't hit too much traffic in that area? I am not at all familiar with the area, and would like it as hassle free as possible, as I am the only adult in the car with 3 kids.

Anyone offer advice?

Yes going the 15 path will be scenic, less chaotic, prob less traffic, avoids major highways (if that bothers you). It will be longer though and involves more road changes but it shouldn't be as busy.

On a Saturday going 495 to 95 "depends". If it's during summer then you have 1/2 of DC going to the Outer Banks and this area can and will get crowded. If you can hit DC by 10am, you may not have any/few issues. The longer you wait, the more traffic can build up. But things like a Redskins football game in town, homecoming at University Maryland, or other major political event can effect the traffic.

I'm from Northern Virginia, so we are just used to it and that's what we have to deal with daily. So we just go with the flow and usually just take 495/95 whenever we need to go south.

Hopefully you have Google Maps or GPS or something to check traffic while on the road. We just got a 'smartphone' prior to our 1st drive to WDW and it was great -- shows real-time traffic conditions which allowed us to take alternate routes (there was an accident on 95 near Quantico blocking 95 for miles and miles).

If you don't have a smartphone, make sure to tune into WTOP (can get the call numbers on the web, there are several of them). They provide updates to traffic on the 8's.

Either way, I'd have some alternate routes you can take (like bailing off on I-66 from 495W) in case you do run into traffic.

Our traffic is unpredicatable -- just expect it and prepare for it.

 

[spima3]

Looking at googlemaps, I have two different routes, but both of them end w/ me making a U-Turn to get to the station.


17. Turn left at Lorton Rd/VA-600/VA-642
Continue to follow Lorton Rd/VA-642 0.5 mi

18. Make a U-turn at Timarand Dr
Destination will be on the right


I am not understanding this at all. Seems to me, I can't make a left off of VA-642 to get to the station, so have to U-turn to come back and then it will be on the right. ???

 

[chartle]

Looking at googlemaps, I have two different routes, but both of them end w/ me making a U-Turn to get to the station.


17. Turn left at Lorton Rd/VA-600/VA-642
Continue to follow Lorton Rd/VA-642 0.5 mi

18. Make a U-turn at Timarand Dr
Destination will be on the right


I am not understanding this at all. Seems to me, I can't make a left off of VA-642 to get to the station, so have to U-turn to come back and then it will be on the right. ???

Here is the area you are talking about.

http://goo.gl/maps/gbir

I think Google Maps sees that VA-642 is a divided highway. It is but at the intersection to the station there is a break so you don't have to do a U turn.

In fact you have a left turn only lane, just follow that red car.

http://goo.gl/maps/nNiP

 

[POOHsie]

Looking at googlemaps, I have two different routes, but both of them end w/ me making a U-Turn to get to the station.
17. Turn left at Lorton Rd/VA-600/VA-642
Continue to follow Lorton Rd/VA-642 0.5 mi
18. Make a U-turn at Timarand Dr
Destination will be on the right
I am not understanding this at all. Seems to me, I can't make a left off of VA-642 to get to the station, so have to U-turn to come back and then it will be on the right. ???

I am also going to the Lorton Amtrak station, by going S on I-95. At the exit I turn left. But like you, Google tells me to go past Amtrak, then U-turn and come back. Here is a Bing map screen capture of the intersection. I have highlighted the route in pink. You can see there are two left turn arrows on the roadway, and I have circled a signal light. I think Google is incorrect. I am going to trust the photo.