All about the Autotrain

[emcclay]

Hello! Next Friday, I will be boarding the Auto Train. I figured it would be easier to get my 14 year old car to Florida than driving it all the way down. Now, when they load the cars, do they lock the doors? I have absolutely no clue how to disable my car alarm and am petrified my battery will be dead at the end of the trip! Thanks!

 

[chartle]

Hello! Next Friday, I will be boarding the Auto Train. I figured it would be easier to get my 14 year old car to Florida than driving it all the way down. Now, when they load the cars, do they lock the doors? I have absolutely no clue how to disable my car alarm and am petrified my battery will be dead at the end of the trip! Thanks!

They shouldn't since I would guess they leave the keys in the car but they do say to disable any alarms. We just gave them a valet key and no fob but I do know that older systems may be armed when you locked and closed the door.

How do you arm it now? A dead battery in Florida is bad for more than just you. Its bad for everyone behind you. You may want to see a mechanic.

 

[emcclay]

They shouldn't since I would guess they leave the keys in the car but they do say to disable any alarms. We just gave them a valet key and no fob but I do know that older systems may be armed when you locked and closed the door.

How do you arm it now? A dead battery in Florida is bad for more than just you. Its bad for everyone behind you. You may want to see a mechanic.

My alarm is armed when I lock my car. I'm just trying to make sure the cars are not locked inside the train. Not sure I am up for playing around with the fuses in my car

 

[chartle]

My alarm is armed when I lock my car. I'm just trying to make sure the cars are not locked inside the train. Not sure I am up for playing around with the fuses in my car

Thats why I posted about talking to a mechanic.

But like I posted I don't think they lock the doors and take the keys. If they did they would have to keep track of them and possibly lose a set. Just as bad as a dead battery, a car that can't move.

 

[emcclay]

Thats why I posted about talking to a mechanic.

But like I posted I don't think they lock the doors and take the keys. If they did they would have to keep track of them and possibly lose a set. Just as bad as a dead battery, I car that can't move.

Do alarms usually sound when cars are unlocked, though? I feel like that would defeat the purpose of even locking your car. Plus, if I go through the trouble of getting my alarm disabled here how would I get it turned back on in Florida? There are no reputable Saab mechanics close to where I will be. Hopefully, they keep the doors unlocked.

 

[bdcp]

My alarm is armed when I lock my car. I'm just trying to make sure the cars are not locked inside the train. Not sure I am up for playing around with the fuses in my car

They do not lock the cars. They leave the keys in them for the entire trip so they dont' get lost. My Honda Pilot alarm is armed when it's locked, but doesn't go off with motion or touch. It takes someone actually trying to break in.

Not only do they leave the keys in them, they roll down the driver's side window and leave it down the entire trip so there's no chance of locking the keys inside. The car carriers are enclosed.

 

[emcclay]

They do not lock the cars. They leave the keys in them for the entire trip so they dont' get lost. My Honda Pilot alarm is armed when it's locked, but doesn't go off with motion or touch. It takes someone actually trying to break in.

Not only do they leave the keys in them, they roll down the driver's side window and leave it down the entire trip so there's no chance of locking the keys inside. The car carriers are enclosed.

Thank you very much! I feel better now

I'll be sure to post pictures and my review once I get settled in Florida.

 

[Marshay]

I always wake up when we pull into Florence anyway. DH got two emails and two phone calls on his cell also since we're booked round trip in Nov. I'm glad they did this. It frees up the lower lounge level for all to use. We all know how full the lounge car can be upstairs.

Yeah, I wake up too when we stop but fall right back to sleep.

I agree that it will be nice to have more lounge space. We love hanging out in the lounge!

 

[Marshay]

May it all go better than our last time on the southbound AutoTrain in Florence. We were awake and watched (and felt!) one of the dudes in a 3/4 ton truck slam into the side of the train.... It was and and all at the same time.

Wow! Scary. What actually happened? Did they have to remove train section?

 

[Marshay]

May it all go better than our last time on the southbound AutoTrain in Florence. We were awake and watched (and felt!) one of the dudes in a 3/4 ton truck slam into the side of the train.... It was and and all at the same time.

Double post

 

[nono]

Wow! Scary. What actually happened? Did they have to remove train section?

Nope. Those trains are pretty tough. As he was servicing the train (maybe picking up garbage?)...seemed like he meant to put it in R and put it in D! Probably 10-15 mph Max...but it sure made a huge thud!

 

[chartle]

Nope. Those trains are pretty tough. As he was servicing the train (maybe picking up garbage?)...seemed like he meant to put it in R and put it in D! Probably 10-15 mph Max...but it sure made a huge thud!

Ok i like most others probably thought it was at a crossing.

 

[Marshay]

Nope. Those trains are pretty tough. As he was servicing the train (maybe picking up garbage?)...seemed like he meant to put it in R and put it in D! Probably 10-15 mph Max...but it sure made a huge thud!

Oh no. Still that is not good!

 

[nono]

Ok i like most others probably thought it was at a crossing.

The discussion was around stopping of the train in Florence for servicing, and now smoking. I referenced Florence in my post. Sorry...thought it was obvious that we were stopped (since it's the service stop).

 

[chartle]

The discussion was around stopping of the train in Florence for servicing, and now smoking. I referenced Florence in my post. Sorry...thought it was obvious that we were stopped (since it's the service stop).

I kind of missed the in Florence part.

 

[Marshay]

I just saw this posted in another forum:

$29 Kids Fares on the Auto Train between Washington, DC and Florida

http://www.amtrak.com/auto-train-di...WT.mc_r=365&WT.mc_t=AutoTrainKids29_2013_EMTR

All the fun without the traffic.

Take the Auto Train® on your family vacation this summer and you'll skip the traffic and arrive at great savings. Kids ages 2 – 15 ride for just $29 when you book now through May 23, 2013, for travel May 28 – August 28, 2013.

Traveling nonstop between the Washington, DC and Orlando, FL areas, the Auto Train accommodates a wide variety of vehicles.

With your vehicle safely on the Auto Train, you and your entire family will enjoy a relaxing, stress-free ride in spacious, comfortable seats. And since you can pack your car like a suitcase, you'll have everything you need when you arrive.

So bring the kids, take the car, skip the traffic and save. Book your seats on the Auto Train by May 23 for travel May 28 – August 28 — and kids ride for just $29.

 

[Marshay]

Unfortunately, the $29 fare for kids is NOT good for sleeper cars...

 

[labdogs42]

Omg, this is awesome! We were planning to take the train in August anyway!, yippee for the cheap fare!

 

[Marshay]

Omg, this is awesome! We were planning to take the train in August anyway!, yippee for the cheap fare!

Yay!! glad you will be able to use it!

The $29 seats are limited so make sure to book early.

 

[Marshay]

Just saw this email. When we went to Union Station a few years ago for this, we were able to check out the Auto Train cars, both coach and family rooms. It was neat to see it before we rode it. Also, it's just a fun day...crowded but fun.

The URL below is for Wash, DC but there are others all over the country.

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Get ready to celebrate all things train

Mark May 11 on your calendar for the 6th annual National Train Day. From big cities to small towns, it's a nation-wide celebration of trains and train travel, featuring more than 100 events in communities around the country.

This free day of family-friendly fun will arrive before you know it, so find out more about National Train Day celebrations taking place near you and make your travel plans today. Additional festivities are always being added, so be sure to check the event schedule regularly.

http://www.nationaltrainday.com/s/#!/events/union-station-wa