All about the Autotrain

[vacationer1954]

If Amtrak is going to allow this then they need to start charging coach prices for sleepers...it's only fair...right?

Not at all. The charge for sleepers is based on the premium accommodation, the fact that the seats convert into beds, the fact that the bedrooms have doors that close and latch from the inside providing privacy and protection while sleeping, etc.

 

[huggiebear23]

Yes, there are a few options. In the area near the AT, there are two grocery stores with delis that sell prepared food and sandwiches, a Glory Days restaurant that will fix a meal to go, a 24-hour IHOP, a Subway, a Burger King, a McDonald's and some independent restaurants. If there is something in particular you have in mind, let me know and I can tell you if a place like that is around. I've lived about a 1- 1.5 miles (as the crow flies) from the Lorton AT station since 1994, so this is all practically in my back yard.

Your the best!! Thanks so much. I was thinking maybe a pizza/Italian restaurant. She can have an early dinner and maybe I can order plain pasta. Throw it in a thermos for dinner.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

So if the menus are now the same, is the steak gone?

It is typical of 1st class accommodations in any mode of transportation, including airlines and cruise ships, to limit access to first class areas to first class only. While no guards are in place, this should still be the typical rule on Amtrak. They wouldn't want coach customers wandering sleeper cars and taking a shower.

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

Your the best!! Thanks so much. I was thinking maybe a pizza/Italian restaurant. She can have an early dinner and maybe I can order plain pasta. Throw it in a thermos for dinner.

The closest Italian place is Antonelli’s, a very small non-chain restaurant. Since your profile indicates you’re from LI and assuming you’d be coming down I-95 South, you would take exit 163, Lorton Road, from I-95 south (same as you would for the AT), but at the light at the end of the exit ramp, instead of turning left for the AT, you turn right onto Lorton Road, then immediately turn right again onto Silverbrook Road. It’s located in a (very) small strip shopping center with the Burger King, a 7-11 and some other shops. Here’s a link http://antonellis-pizza.com/

A good second option is Pane e Vino, another non-chain. It’s a somewhat larger place with a nice atmosphere and a more diverse menu. At the end of the I-95 exit ramp, turn left as though you’re going to the AT, but drive past it. Travel maybe a half mile, and at a traffic light turn left on Lorton Station Road. Pane e Vino will be maybe ¼ - ½ mile up the road on the left. Here’s a link. http://www.paneevino-ristorante.com/

The last option isn’t a pizza/pasta restaurant, but it does offer menus that might work for you and your daughter. Glory Days is a chain sports-themed restaurant, very kid friendly (lots of TV’s showing sporting events from different locations if your DD is into sports). The menu is mostly sandwiches, but they also offer pizzas and a diverse kid’s menu http://www.glorydaysgrill.com/#menus/dine-in/kids. Glory Days is located in the shopping center across the street from the AT station. Here’s a link to the Lorton location restaurant. http://www.glorydaysgrill.com/#locations/virginia/lorton

One of these should work for you.

 

[Vickie1016]

The closest Italian place is Antonelli’s, a very small non-chain restaurant. Since your profile indicates you’re from LI and assuming you’d be coming down I-95 South, you would take exit 163, Lorton Road, from I-95 south (same as you would for the AT), but at the light at the end of the exit ramp, instead of turning left for the AT, you turn right onto Lorton Road, then immediately turn right again onto Silverbrook Road. It’s located in a (very) small strip shopping center with the Burger King, a 7-11 and some other shops. Here’s a link http://antonellis-pizza.com/

A good second option is Pane e Vino, another non-chain. It’s a somewhat larger place with a nice atmosphere and a more diverse menu. At the end of the I-95 exit ramp, turn left as though you’re going to the AT, but drive past it. Travel maybe a half mile, and at a traffic light turn left on Lorton Station Road. Pane e Vino will be maybe ¼ - ½ mile up the road on the left. Here’s a link. http://www.paneevino-ristorante.com/

The last option isn’t a pizza/pasta restaurant, but it does offer menus that might work for you and your daughter. Glory Days is a chain sports-themed restaurant, very kid friendly (lots of TV’s showing sporting events from different locations if your DD is into sports). The menu is mostly sandwiches, but they also offer pizzas and a diverse kid’s menu http://www.glorydaysgrill.com/#menus/dine-in/kids. Glory Days is located in the shopping center across the street from the AT station. Here’s a link to the Lorton location restaurant. http://www.glorydaysgrill.com/#locations/virginia/lorton

One of these should work for you.

Thank you so much for this info. I too am concerned about the possible change to the sleeper car menu. DH, DD (8) & I will be traveling in July. DD eats like an adult (wide variety) and last year enjoyed the steak. If the menu does change, I will also need to pack something for her for dinner.

It is unfortunate that the prices for the sleepers keep increasing but the services (like the wine & cheese, lack of sleeper lounge car & better dinner menu) are decreasing!

 

[Marshay]

It is unfortunate that the prices for the sleepers keep increasing but the services (like the wine & cheese, lack of sleeper lounge car & better dinner menu) are decreasing!

This!!!

 

[huggiebear23]

The closest Italian place is Antonelli’s, a very small non-chain restaurant. Since your profile indicates you’re from LI and assuming you’d be coming down I-95 South, you would take exit 163, Lorton Road, from I-95 south (same as you would for the AT), but at the light at the end of the exit ramp, instead of turning left for the AT, you turn right onto Lorton Road, then immediately turn right again onto Silverbrook Road. It’s located in a (very) small strip shopping center with the Burger King, a 7-11 and some other shops. Here’s a link http://antonellis-pizza.com/ A good second option is Pane e Vino, another non-chain. It’s a somewhat larger place with a nice atmosphere and a more diverse menu. At the end of the I-95 exit ramp, turn left as though you’re going to the AT, but drive past it. Travel maybe a half mile, and at a traffic light turn left on Lorton Station Road. Pane e Vino will be maybe ¼ - ½ mile up the road on the left. Here’s a link. http://www.paneevino-ristorante.com/ The last option isn’t a pizza/pasta restaurant, but it does offer menus that might work for you and your daughter. Glory Days is a chain sports-themed restaurant, very kid friendly (lots of TV’s showing sporting events from different locations if your DD is into sports). The menu is mostly sandwiches, but they also offer pizzas and a diverse kid’s menu http://www.glorydaysgrill.com/#menus/dine-in/kids. Glory Days is located in the shopping center across the street from the AT station. Here’s a link to the Lorton location restaurant. http://www.glorydaysgrill.com/#locations/virginia/lorton One of these should work for you.

Thank you soooo much!! This is great!! And yes I'm coming from Long Island.

 

[huggiebear23]

Pan e vino looks great!!

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

May has been a challenging month for the AT. Adjusting for service cut-backs has been bad enough, but these other things were beyond the control of anyone at Amtrak.

First, it was the heavy rains at the end of April/first of May that slowed rail traffic. Then, the AT was stopped in Richmond while law enforcement investigated a homicide (a 16-year old has been arrested for killing an 8-year old boy and assaulting his sister near the tracks).

And on Monday (May 5) the AT hit a car that ignored the lowered crossing gates, was hit first by a southbound train and then thrown into the AT heading northbound to Lorton. The driver of the car, a corrections officer at the Virginia State Prison at Jarrat, survived. No one on either train was injured and the AT was not damaged.http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/index.php?/topic/59676-auto-train-hits-car/

I sure hope the weather stays settled, people stop making horrendous decisions/doing horrendous things and the trains get back on schedule.

 

[TreesyB]

Hi everyone... my parents' train for May 12th was cancelled - what's going with the AT? Also, wondering if they would just be rescheduled for next available? or they would just put them on another train free of charge.

Thanks,
Teresa

 

[vacationer1954]

I doubt that they'd reschedule without talking to your parents, since they have no reason to think that a different date would be amenable. I can tell you from personal experience that if your parents do choose another date, they're not going to travel free of charge. Of course, Amtrak does waive all change fees and such, just like the waive penalties if you cancel your ticket because they've canceled a train.

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

Hi everyone... my parents' train for May 12th was cancelled - what's going with the AT? Also, wondering if they would just be rescheduled for next available? or they would just put them on another train free of charge.

Thanks,
Teresa

Our trip home on the AT in 2012 was also cancelled (emergency track work). We were able to move our travel to a day earlier at no additional cost, but we had to request the change; AT will not automatically make the change for you. As long as there is space available, they should accommodate your parents if they decide to reschedule instead of drive.

 

[bdcp]

Hi everyone... my parents' train for May 12th was cancelled - what's going with the AT? Also, wondering if they would just be rescheduled for next available? or they would just put them on another train free of charge.

Thanks,
Teresa

Did they say why it was cancelled? I can't find anything about it. There's no service alert either.

 

[kmjc]

My mother-in-law took the AT from Sanford on Friday, May 9. She drove to Sanford from Naples and found out that the train was delayed after she got there at 1 pm. They told her to come back at 8 pm! The problem was that the engine broke down on the southbound train the night before and didn't get on until around 5 pm. Those poor people were on the train for 24 hours!

She went to a nearby shopping area and waited. She went to the Sanford station at 8 and they got moving at around 11 pm. The train did not get in until late afternoon yesterday (Saturday 5/10/14). She said that the train seemed to be running very slowly compared to previous trips. She had to drive only about 2 hours to get home, but it was a very long day for her.

I have the AT booked for July. I sure hope that I don't have the same experience.

 

[TreesyB]

Did they say why it was cancelled? I can't find anything about it. There's no service alert either.

My parents were told they had to catch up on their schedule so they cancelled the train instead. They were rescheduled without further charge. And have since been further rescheduled to a closer date. Thanks for everyone's responses.

 

[Wishes Count]

Well here I am for the trip back to fl after a week at home. And it is the same story. Train is delayed. Currently 5:45 and the train has not arrived. They stated the train would not be in until 7:30pm and if it takes 3-4 hours to restock we will not be leaving until after 10pm. The small newsstand is not even open. There are 200 people here waiting for 5+ hours and thee isn't anywhere to buy a drink or snack. The agent told the people next to me that it was late due to a car accident on the track. I don't believe that for one second. Every train has been behind schedule since maybe before my trip up here. I'm very disappointed in Amtrak. I will be writing a letter expecting compensation.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[kmjc]

Well here I am for the trip back to fl after a week at home. And it is the same story. Train is delayed. Currently 5:45 and the train has not arrived. They stated the train would not be in until 7:30pm and if it takes 3-4 hours to restock we will not be leaving until after 10pm. The small newsstand is not even open. There are 200 people here waiting for 5+ hours and thee isn't anywhere to buy a drink or snack. The agent told the people next to me that it was late due to a car accident on the track. I don't believe that for one second. Every train has been behind schedule since maybe before my trip up here. I'm very disappointed in Amtrak. I will be writing a letter expecting compensation. Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Update:

My Mother-in-law came from Sanford on the AT on Friday's (4/9/14) train. She drove from Naples. When she got to the station, they told her that the train was late and to come back at 8 PM.

She didn't have anywhere to go, so she went to a shopping center to kill time. She had lunch and dinner before returning to the station at 7:30. The train pulled into Sanford at 7:40. Passengers were allowed to board at 11 pm. The train finally headed north at 1 am. Her train arrived in Lorton, VA at 6:20 pm. Her car was returned at 7:30. She drove 2 hours to home and arrived last night at 9:30.

While on board, she heard from other passengers that the previous train (Thursday's train from Lorton) had engine trouble. The train was delayed due to the train needing to attach another engine. I believe that this information came from passengers that came off Thursday night's train. They were on board their train to Sanford for the better part of 24 hours!

My MIL also heard about Monday's train being cancelled. They are doing so in order to "catch up" from the delays. They did not do so earlier due to the high demand on the weekend trains. I imagine that they do not want to anger the people that need to head back to work on Monday.

So, that is the word on the recent delays per my MIL. I hope that it sheds some light for those who were wondering. I hope that this is a rare occurrence. I have my first AT booked for July.

 

[monorailsilver]

Update:

My Mother-in-law came from Sanford on the AT on Friday's (4/9/14) train. She drove from Naples. When she got to the station, they told her that the train was late and to come back at 8 PM.

She didn't have anywhere to go, so she went to a shopping center to kill time. She had lunch and dinner before returning to the station at 7:30. The train pulled into Sanford at 7:40. Passengers were allowed to board at 11 pm. The train finally headed north at 1 am. Her train arrived in Lorton, VA at 6:20 pm. Her car was returned at 7:30. She drove 2 hours to home and arrived last night at 9:30.

While on board, she heard from other passengers that the previous train (Thursday's train from Lorton) had engine trouble. The train was delayed due to the train needing to attach another engine. I believe that this information came from passengers that came off Thursday night's train. They were on board their train to Sanford for the better part of 24 hours!

My MIL also heard about Monday's train being cancelled. They are doing so in order to "catch up" from the delays. They did not do so earlier due to the high demand on the weekend trains. I imagine that they do not want to anger the people that need to head back to work on Monday.

So, that is the word on the recent delays per my MIL. I hope that it sheds some light for those who were wondering. I hope that this is a rare occurrence. I have my first AT booked for July.

Our train that left on Easter was delayed. I wish we knew soon as we drove up from ft. Myers that am and we could of not rushed as much to leave by 8:30 but when we got the call/email at 11 we were almost at the Disney exits so off we went to trex for lunch.

That train didn't leave til after 6 and we arrived at noon causing us rush hour traffic delays once we hit CT. I think it was a combo weather and a CSx train was stuck.

I am glad we tried the train but that was our first and last time. Going down we had no delays.

I kept waking at night afraid we were tipping too much. So unless they can make the rails smoother and not share with CSx we will fly or drive. I have a flight down for next April. Now I need to find a return for just As cheap when it comes out.

 

[jbeyes]

Hi all- we are planning on taking the auto train for our trip next year. We have dates narrowed down to late April/early May but will have to wait until our kid's school schedule comes out in the fall to pin down the exact dates and book. This will be our first experience with the auto train.

My questions are- is that a busy time of year for the auto train & how far out should we safely be able to book a round trip with family bedroom & a vehicle? I know there are a limited number of family bedrooms available. Also, we are planning on redeeming Amtrak Reward points for at least a portion of the trip if that makes any difference.

Thanks in advance for any advice!!

 

[vacationer1954]

Hi all- we are planning on taking the auto train for our trip next year. We have dates narrowed down to late April/early May but will have to wait until our kid's school schedule comes out in the fall to pin down the exact dates and book. This will be our first experience with the auto train.

My questions are- is that a busy time of year for the auto train

Plan on heaviest crowds, on the train, in the resorts, at the parks, etc., during school holidays. We avoid school holidays so I don't know the details about which dates the family bedrooms might book up.