All about the Autotrain

[chartle]

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

You beat me again see my PP.

 

[Capt_BJ]

well yes and sorry

altho I've traveled AT a few times; over size issues really ain't a concern to me . . .

now, how too little bottom clearance is dealt with (I have less than the required) I can tell you about with personal experience.

 

[chartle]

well yes and sorry

altho I've traveled AT a few times; over size issues really ain't a concern to me . . .

now, how too little bottom clearance is dealt with (I have less than the required) I can tell you about with personal experience.

Kind of OT but in Pittsburgh we have a Vintage Grand Prix every year.

Besides the race, there are days set aside for certain cars from certain countries. One day is British Cars Day where they have around 500 UK cars mostly mini's. I was walking around when they were bringing them in and I was worried that I would either trip over one of them or maybe step on one and crush it under my foot.

http://www.pvgp.org/674693113112149/site/default.asp

 

[Marshay]

RE: minivan...just check your Car Manual for size or measure yourself. My parents' minivan was oversized.

 

[bdcp]

RE: minivan...just check your Car Manual for size or measure yourself. My parents' minivan was oversized.

I don't know of a minivan that isn't oversized. Our Grand Voyager was. Our current vehicle is a Honda Pilot and it is considered oversized too. It's also height they use to determine it.

Taking a car roof carrier/rack off is required unless it's permanently installed on the vehicle.

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

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

We've been traveling the AT for the last 7 yrs with our mini vans (Venture and now Odyssey) Both are oversized vehicles. WE have also taken our removeable soft side rooftop carriers with us. The first year we stopped before the booth and removed it from the roof and shoved everything into the van. Then upon arrival we had to reinstall it and reload. It took some time to do too. Also upon arrival we noticed other vehicle exiting the car carriers with their rooftop carriers still on (other minivans). On the return trip we left it on the top. They will have you sign a waiver once you turn the vehicle over to them. We have never had any problems with the carrier on top in 7 yrs of trips.

We just returned from the AT yesterday and for the first time we didn't need the cargo carrier!! Although it was a shorter beach vacation than our usual WDW vacations too! We are returning in just over 4 wks for our annual WDW trip on the AT.

Oh by the way on the northbound trip we had the family car but man it sounded like the quiet car!!! It was amazing!! We had 7 in our party (4 under 12). We scored good bc all the kids were soo well behaved. Unlike the ride southbound trip a week earlier. My 2 DN had the family car for (*@(*!! A family with 6 kids and the parents did not control them at all! They were up late and one DN found their young girl digging through her bag!! Parents were horrible!! (4 DC and I had sleepers on the southbound trip). To our horror the same family was there for the return trip. Thank god they were not anyways near our coach car!!

We did have some seat confusion upon boarding the return AT. 7 of us but only 5 seats listed on boarding pass. (DH usually takes care of checking us in and I didn't notice it till we were already on the train) Since we were almost last to board some lady (who should have been in the adult car) claimed 1 of our seats with her stuff on it. It wasn't till we were moving about 20 minutes later that our seating issue was resolved. The counter agent didn't list the other 2 seats on our boarding pass(there were 2 young teens in those seats that quickly moved back to their seats as we were trying to figure it out upon boarding). The supervisor came up with the seating chart and determined we actually had 8 seats for us and the lady was in the wrong car. She offered to move IF they found her 2 seats. They escorted her back to her traveling companion she boarded with whom had the 2 seats in the right car covered with all her belongings. The lady was seen roaming the train looking for vacant seats after they moved her back to the correct car.

Overall it was a great trip. Looking forward to our 8th trip in just over 4 wks.

 

[Cupmom]

Is there WiFi on the Auto Train? Debating whether to take the laptop on the train or leave it in the car.

 

[chartle]

Is there WiFi on the Auto Train? Debating whether to take the laptop on the train or leave it in the car.

No, but there is real 110 duplex plug power at every seat.

 

[Marshay]

We've been traveling the AT for the last 7 yrs with our mini vans (Venture and now Odyssey)

Overall it was a great trip. Looking forward to our 8th trip in just over 4 wks.

Thanks for the update! I'm always glad when people report back to hear what's new, how it went, etc.

My next AT trip isn't until January ... we haven't traveled with the snowbirds yet, so that will be a new experience for us!

 

[bdcp]

We've been traveling the AT for the last 7 yrs with our mini vans (Venture and now Odyssey) Both are oversized vehicles. WE have also taken our removeable soft side rooftop carriers with us. The first year we stopped before the booth and removed it from the roof and shoved everything into the van. Then upon arrival we had to reinstall it and reload. It took some time to do too. Also upon arrival we noticed other vehicle exiting the car carriers with their rooftop carriers still on (other minivans). On the return trip we left it on the top. They will have you sign a waiver once you turn the vehicle over to them. We have never had any problems with the carrier on top in 7 yrs of trips.

We just returned from the AT yesterday and for the first time we didn't need the cargo carrier!! Although it was a shorter beach vacation than our usual WDW vacations too! We are returning in just over 4 wks for our annual WDW trip on the AT.

Oh by the way on the northbound trip we had the family car but man it sounded like the quiet car!!! It was amazing!! We had 7 in our party (4 under 12). We scored good bc all the kids were soo well behaved. Unlike the ride southbound trip a week earlier. My 2 DN had the family car for (*@(*!! A family with 6 kids and the parents did not control them at all! They were up late and one DN found their young girl digging through her bag!! Parents were horrible!! (4 DC and I had sleepers on the southbound trip). To our horror the same family was there for the return trip. Thank god they were not anyways near our coach car!!

We did have some seat confusion upon boarding the return AT. 7 of us but only 5 seats listed on boarding pass. (DH usually takes care of checking us in and I didn't notice it till we were already on the train) Since we were almost last to board some lady (who should have been in the adult car) claimed 1 of our seats with her stuff on it. It wasn't till we were moving about 20 minutes later that our seating issue was resolved. The counter agent didn't list the other 2 seats on our boarding pass(there were 2 young teens in those seats that quickly moved back to their seats as we were trying to figure it out upon boarding). The supervisor came up with the seating chart and determined we actually had 8 seats for us and the lady was in the wrong car. She offered to move IF they found her 2 seats. They escorted her back to her traveling companion she boarded with whom had the 2 seats in the right car covered with all her belongings. The lady was seen roaming the train looking for vacant seats after they moved her back to the correct car.

Overall it was a great trip. Looking forward to our 8th trip in just over 4 wks.

That's the one thing that really irks me on the train (Particularly the regular train) is people who buy one seat but dump all their stuff on two, even when the train is full. They then act put out when asked to let someone sit there. Fortunately our coach trips on the AT have been in Nov when although there are a lot of snowbirds, the train isn't usually completely full so we haven't run into that. Plus, regulars like the snowbirds, know better.

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

no Wi-Fi on the train. Only the Acela offers it. THere is free Wi-Fi in each AT station. Many people bring their laptops to watch movies on them.


be Happy to help with any others ?s

 

[kdka421]

no Wi-Fi on the train. Only the Acela offers it. THere is free Wi-Fi in each AT station. Many people bring their laptops to watch movies on them.


be Happy to help with any others ?s

Interesting, I read that they were testing out wi-fi periodically on the Autotrain. I might be wrong, or maybe they tested it out at one point but decided not to continue. Either way, I'm not counting on it. But we're looking forward to our first trip on the Autotrain later this summer!
Thanks for the info.

 

[bdcp]

Interesting, I read that they were testing out wi-fi periodically on the Autotrain. I might be wrong, or maybe they tested it out at one point but decided not to continue. Either way, I'm not counting on it. But we're looking forward to our first trip on the Autotrain later this summer!
Thanks for the info.

I have heard they plan to provide it, but there is no date yet. The AT route would be a great place to use it. We've done Acela three times and everytime we're in a tunnel, the wifi cuts out temporarily. The AT doesn't go through any tunnels.

 

[ddstratton]

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.

I'm a little late on this one, but I think you should be fine. Is your Aspen wider than a Hummer? I took this photo while waiting for our van to be unloaded during our October 2008 trip.

 

[Cupmom]

24 days till I board the train!! Any tips??

 

[Minniemouse07]

24 days till I board the train!! Any tips??

17 days for us!

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

5 days for us!!!!

 

[erinch]

We go august 2!

 

[LiloH]

Hello train people!

My family is thinking of taking the auto train to and from WDW in December. We're going for our longest trip ever (13 days!) and thought it would be great to have our car available for that long period of time.
My kids are still very little (1 yo DD and 3 yo DS) no matter what room we get my DD will almost definitely sleep with me. I have a feeling my DS will want to as well, especially if he thinks his sister is getting something he isn't!

Is our only option for this crew the Family Bedroom? I was looking at the regular bedroom which says you can do three people if you call but would they let us do two adults, one child and an infant? I just have this feeling that we're only going to end up using two of the beds in any room and if we could do that and have a nearby potty that would be great.

Thanks for your advice experienced auto train peoples!

 

[Cupmom]

Leaving in 2 weeks for the train..anyone know what movie they are playing?