All about the Autotrain

[vacationer1954]

Maybe there is something in their service recovery procedure you can use?

http://www.governmentattic.org/4docs/AmtrakServiceStandardsManual_2011.pdf

 

[chartle]

Maybe there is something in their service recovery procedure you can use?

http://www.governmentattic.org/4docs/AmtrakServiceStandardsManual_2011.pdf

I went through it and found the Conditions of Carriage which is what I think would cover this but it has nothing on canceled trips or any other recovery. I think its because it's for the employees and not the passengers.

But I wouldn't expect them to give you any other accommodation besides letting you reschedule or refunding 100% of your money.

At least you didn't get the call that morning that you were going to leave for Florida. We got the call on our way to Boma and started going through the options including flying but then realized that a car is not carry on or check baggage. It was Saturday and wee needed to be back for school starting up on Monday.

We just started driving north and after the trip realized that its not that hard of a trip when you have older teenage sons catching up on their Summer reading list that was due the next day for the first day of school.

 

[bdcp]

Amtrak has absolutely no control over track work as they do not own the tracks. They are notified and in turn they notify the passengers. It's not Amtrak's fault at all. It's actually a big hassle for them too.

 

[renda460]

What's to schedule your return another day... They can't shut down CSX rails for long .... Either a day longer or a day less ??

The rails were being shut down for 3 days. And we can't come home any earlier because we are doing the disney cruise. It would have been too expensive to extend our trip several more days, plus the kids would miss a lot of school. We luckily were able to piece together some flights and will now fly. It will cost more but could have been a lot worse. We were excited for the train, but I guess we will have to try it out another time.

 

[TreesyB]

Just got an email today (we're Amtrak rewards members) and there is sale on AT. Book by Feb 4, 2013 for travel between Jan 24-Apr 18, 2013 and save 20%. This is a slow time of year for the AT so I guess that's why there's a sale.

Is there a coupon code or blackout period for this? I just checked the trip I'm looking at and there is no discount. I'm looking to travel March 9th.

 

[bdcp]

Is there a coupon code or blackout period for this? I just checked the trip I'm looking at and there is no discount. I'm looking to travel March 9th.

We got the email because we are Amtrak rewards members. I'm pretty sure you have to be a member and have a member number to get the discount. It's very easy to join.

I just checked and the email came from Amtrak Guest Rewards, and I can't see the entire email because I'm at work and it blocks some pictures. It's advertised as the Winter Sale.

 

[TreesyB]

We got the email because we are Amtrak rewards members. I'm pretty sure you have to be a member and have a member number to get the discount. It's very easy to join.

I just checked and the email came from Amtrak Guest Rewards, and I can't see the entire email because I'm at work and it blocks some pictures. It's advertised as the Winter Sale.

Thanks, I just joined. Hopefully I'll be able to get the link with their next email blast.

 

[TreesyB]

We got the email because we are Amtrak rewards members. I'm pretty sure you have to be a member and have a member number to get the discount. It's very easy to join.

I just checked and the email came from Amtrak Guest Rewards, and I can't see the entire email because I'm at work and it blocks some pictures. It's advertised as the Winter Sale.

Oh, I just did a google search and found a 20% discount plus 50% discount for kids! That must be booked by Jan 22nd. That has to be purchased through the link. But what a great deal! Thanks for the heads up!

 

[TreesyB]

We got the email because we are Amtrak rewards members. I'm pretty sure you have to be a member and have a member number to get the discount. It's very easy to join.

I just checked and the email came from Amtrak Guest Rewards, and I can't see the entire email because I'm at work and it blocks some pictures. It's advertised as the Winter Sale.

I was finally able to book. Ended up moving the trip by one day, but that's OK. The sale requires no link after all. Just that it will be applied when booked. The cost on Auto train was $80/adult and $40/child. That's a pretty sweet deal!

 

[Marshay]

Just got off the train this week and wanted to report back and share some news:


1. When we arrived Lorton on 1/12, the line of cars was backed up all over Lorton road. Turns out the northbound train was delayed due to malfunctioning Lounge car in the coach section. Train didn't arrive until close to noon so all of us south bounders couldn't check in until they cleared the train. What a mess! But kudos to the Amtrak employees for doing a great job with everyone and we still departed on time!

2. This train was completely booked, not even a coach seat available, we were told. And the coach section lounge car was taken off, so I felt really bad for all the coach folks stuck in a crowded car. Made us even more thankful for the sleeper cars...at least if our lounge car goes down, we have a room to go back to.

3. To me, the absolute best news is that as of June 2013, the AutoTrain is going smoke free!!! We like the lounge cars but can always smell the smoke in them from below. So for my nonsmoking family, this is wonderful!

I am curious if those who booked already were informed of this new policy. I heard it from two Amtrak employees.

4. The closure for track maintenance is to fix the 10 (some say 15 or 20) minute bridge, close to Sanford. CSX is closing down the tracks for all trains. We heard one week, but PP said 3days. It was end of Feb, I believe. I wondered what would happen to those already booked.

5. On our return on 1/23 into Lorton, it was so cold that one of the switches froze. So they stopped the train and an employee(s) had to go out and manually throw the switch. Think sledgehammer!! They said this happens from time to time in winter, but did delay our return a bit.

 

[chartle]

Just got off the train this week and wanted to report back and share some news:

3. To me, the absolute best news is that as of June 2013, the AutoTrain is going smoke free!!! We like the lounge cars but can always smell the smoke in them from below. So for my nonsmoking family, this is wonderful!

I am curious if those who booked already were informed of this new policy. I heard it from two Amtrak employees.

Even though we are also a non smoking family and avoid all smoking, I'm not thinking this is as good of an idea as it sounds.

If you take a smoker and put him or her in a sealed steel box for 18 hours some are going to sneak a smoke somewhere, either in the bathrooms or the sleeping berth next to you.

We stay in non smoking hotel rooms and I know people are sneaking smokes in the bathrooms thinking the fan will suck away the smell.

 

[Cuddlemama]

On the Autotrain now from Lorton to Sanford. Traveling coach on a fairly busy but not totally booked train. It's not bad, except we are in the family car (we DO have 3 kids, but they are bigger kids) so I am afraid sleep won't be very easy.

On the upside, we extended our vacation by 3 days and the Amtrak rep applied the new 20% code to our tickets automatically and we got a $23 refund on the ticket price. Happy Happy us!

 

[vacationer1954]

I didn't notice the full announcement of the cancellation posted so please forgive me if this is a duplicate.

Auto Train Weekend Service Cancellations Effective February 21 - 24, 2013

Train 52 – February 22, 23 and 24
Train 53 – February 21, 22 and 23

Due to weekend bridge replacement project being performed north of Sanford by Central Florida Rail Corridor, Trains 52 and 53 will be canceled on the dates shown below, and alternate transportation will not be provided.

Northbound Train 52
Train 52 will be canceled on Friday through Sunday, February 22, 23 and 24, 2013.

Southbound Train 53
Train 53 will be canceled on Thursday through Saturday, February 21, 22 and 23, 2013.

 

[Marshay]

Even though we are also a non smoking family and avoid all smoking, I'm not thinking this is as good of an idea as it sounds.

If you take a smoker and put him or her in a sealed steel box for 18 hours some are going to sneak a smoke somewhere, either in the bathrooms or the sleeping berth next to you.

We stay in non smoking hotel rooms and I know people are sneaking smokes in the bathrooms thinking the fan will suck away the smell.

I imagine some will try, but hopefully Amtrak will start imposing huge fines to help encourage folks to comply and will actually enforce their policy.

My only concern is that I haven't seen anything official yet and If I had booked and were a smoker, I'd want advance notice so I could make an informed decision. June is only a little more than four months away....I always try to book 11 mos out...

Believe me, I'll be buzzing my attendant button each time I find someone smoking and will be reporting it to Amtrak. It will be a process for everyone, smokers and non-smokers. thankfully, we don't travel again until Nov so most should be informed by then. YMMV.

 

[Marshay]

I didn't notice the full announcement of the cancellation posted so please forgive me if this is a duplicate.

Thanks for posting!

 

[j16m44]

Taking the AutoTrain for the 1st time this Sat. We only have coach seats bc we booked it just the other day as this was a last minute trip to Disney. I just have a few questions. Is the family car usually close to the lounge car? I'm sure we'll get put there since we have 3 small kids. Also, how do you think the traffic will be on a Saturday getting to the Lorton station? We live in PA about 3 1/2 hours away. I'm not sure if I want to head down Fri night to play it safe. I'm keeping my eye on the weather too just in case. We are so excited. We usually drive down every year but I really wanted to try this out. I love the road trip too but maybe this will be our new way to go.

 

[Marshay]

Taking the AutoTrain for the 1st time this Sat. We only have coach seats bc we booked it just the other day as this was a last minute trip to Disney. I just have a few questions. Is the family car usually close to the lounge car? I'm sure we'll get put there since we have 3 small kids. Also, how do you think the traffic will be on a Saturday getting to the Lorton station? We live in PA about 3 1/2 hours away. I'm not sure if I want to head down Fri night to play it safe. I'm keeping my eye on the weather too just in case. We are so excited. We usually drive down every year but I really wanted to try this out. I love the road trip too but maybe this will be our new way to go.

Under normal conditions, you could leave at 9am in PA and arrive in Lorton by 12:30pm, in plenty of time for early pre-boarding (get assigned seats, choose early dinner seating, etc).

We usually check in around 1pm in Lorton (and check in around 2pm at Sanford since we spend extra time in WDW that morning).

However, definitely pay attention to weather in case you need to stay Friday night. Also, if you do stay Friday night, you can have a leisurely morning, go to Potomac Mills mall and not worry about making it on time. However, that is an added expense.

Finally, if it's in your budget and you get to the station early, you can ask them if any Family Rooms have opened up. You never know when people cancel.

Good luck!

 

[j16m44]

Thanks. I keep watching the weather to see. If there is even a slight chance of snow we will head down Fri night. And if we go Sat morning I plan to leave really early and check in early and then do some shopping, etc and then get back to the station to check in the van before 2pm. I've thought about a bedroom etc but I think the kids should do fine in coach since they do fine w/ the car ride down during the night and we'll have plenty of things to keep them entertained and I'm not worried about sleep bc we don't plan on hitting any parks until Monday bc we get a house off property for the extra room, private pool, etc. Thanks again. We are so excited. Too bad I have lots to do before then. I don't even know if any of the kids need new clothes. LOL!!

 

[la79al]

Here's a question for all of you. I messed up and didn't realize that the rest of my group is leaving from Sanford airport instead of Orlando. Which means that, assuming they need to be at the airport 2 hours early, we need to drop them off by 9:30. Assuming we don't need to be at the Autotrain until 1:30ish, that gives us roughly 4 hours to make the 20ish minute drive from the airport to the train station. Is there enough in the Sanford area to keep 2 small children relatively entertained for this time? I was also thinking about just renting a car for those that need to get to the airport and taking the kids to a Disney park for a few hours after we drop them at the car rental place. Any other suggestions? As much as I would love to, I don't think it makes much sense for us to drop people at the airport, head back to a Disney park for an hour, then go back to Sanford for the AT.

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

There is a very big mall right off the autotrain exit from I4. It's called Seminole Town Ctr It would b a place to just let the kids walk and burn off energy. As you approach the exit for the auto train from I4 east you can see the mall on the right. The entrance is the the right after you turn right towards the auto train from the highway. It is off of Town Ctr bvld.

Not sure when you are going but we found an awesome playground in historic Sanford. It is probably 15 mins from the station. They have a huge splash pad, pool (I think) and many playscapes. It overlooks the water. There are picnic pavilions to have a bit to eat, parking is right alongside the park. To get to the park just continue on W 1st st (rt 40) from I4. You will go over a bridge, auto train tracks run under the bridge. You will see a right turn to bring you to the station but continue straight-- don't turn. W 1st St will turn into E 1st St. There are many quaint shops along the road. Just continue straight and you will see the park on your left. It is called Fort Mellon Park. We take a left just past the park and then another left and park alongside the water. They have big bench swings that over look the water too. There are restrooms available too. We grab lunch before heading to the park. It's a really nice way to burn off energy. Just be aware there is no shade for the playscapes. It is rather brutally hot in the August sun.

I hope this helps. We just happened to stumble upon it a few years ago. We have yet checked out the mall.