All about the Autotrain

[monorailsilver]

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!!

FYI, the family bedroom was small. Granted we are a family of 5 but I thought when my dh and ds visited myself and my dds in our bedroom we had more room to walk around.

I tried all 3 rooms and we said if we were going to do the train next year we would get a deluxe bedroom. It we are flying instead.

Thankfully we brought less stuff on our return in the family bedrooms. I made the kids leave their blankets in the car, I didn't take a cooler and I am glad! There were only 2 hooks to hold things although I think in the bedroom there were only 2 but the bedroom had a spot for my suitcase to go above the seat where as the family bedroom did not. I had another bag I brought go under the seat in the family bedroom.

Thankfully my kids are short! My younger two are 10 & 8 and they just fit in the short beds. There was no way I could lay in it.

Oh and since there is only 1 per car I am sure they fill up as do all the rooms.

 

[jwboucher]

Looks like the train is running behind today. I wonder what the problem is. I am really thinking about canceling it and driving in Sept.

 

[Marshay]

Looks like the train is running behind today. I wonder what the problem is. I am really thinking about canceling it and driving in Sept.

Here in VA we had very bad storm last night...4" rain, high winds, tornado watch ... So I'm sure there are downed trees and branches if nothing else.

 

[bdcp]

Here in VA we had very bad storm last night...4" rain, high winds, tornado watch ... So I'm sure there are downed trees and branches if nothing else.

We had a severe thunderstorm watch til 8 pm. After that it was just flood watches and warnings. I woke up at 3 am to heavy rain and wind. We had 4" or so of rain and I'm sure tracks were flooded in spots which would explain the train being late. Everyone, don't think this will continue. It's pretty unusual for the train to be that late. We've done 5 rt's and the latest we've ever been is a couple of hours. We've never been late leaving, just arriving, and only a couple of times.

 

[jwboucher]

Anyone been on the train lately? I was wondering how the one lounge was working out and if the dinner menu has changed.

 

[Wynnebee]

We just booked our trip on the auto train for September. Last year I drove from PA and it was just me and the kids and I felt exhausted. So we are giving the train a shot. We are trying coach seats for our first trip so we'll see how it goes b

 

[Vickie1016]

Hi everyone! Has anyone taken any recent trips on the auto train? Looking for info on the changes to the sleeper lounge car and menu.

Family & I are taking the train in July. Thanks!!

 

[KSL]

Hi everyone! Has anyone taken any recent trips on the auto train? Looking for info on the changes to the sleeper lounge car and menu.

Family & I are taking the train in July. Thanks!!

I'm curious too, about any first-hand reports of the AutoTrain with these changes. We travel in July too....

Also, now that FP+ has come into play, what are folks doing on departure day WRT park visits (if you visit a park that morning)? Do you think there's time to schedule 3 FP+, given that they need to be an hour apart? We're departing from BLT so I'm planning to do MK that morning and scheduled FP+ for 9-10, 10-11, and 11-12. If we hit the third one close to the beginning of the window and then walk back to BLT, I'm thinking we'll be on the road by noon, stop for a quick lunch, and still be at Stanford by 2:00. Seem reasonable? We have a bedroom so we aren't concerned about getting there early for first pick of coach seats & dining time is flexible for us. We've only done AT home from Disney once before and I can't remember quite when we left. All opinions welcome!!

 

[Marshay]

I'm curious too, about any first-hand reports of the AutoTrain with these changes. We travel in July too.... Also, now that FP+ has come into play, what are folks doing on departure day WRT park visits (if you visit a park that morning)? Do you think there's time to schedule 3 FP+, given that they need to be an hour apart? We're departing from BLT so I'm planning to do MK that morning and scheduled FP+ for 9-10, 10-11, and 11-12. If we hit the third one close to the beginning of the window and then walk back to BLT, I'm thinking we'll be on the road by noon, stop for a quick lunch, and still be at Stanford by 2:00. Seem reasonable? We have a bedroom so we aren't concerned about getting there early for first pick of coach seats & dining time is flexible for us. We've only done AT home from Disney once before and I can't remember quite when we left. All opinions welcome!!

We always start to leave the park at 12, exit at 12:30pm, get gas and are on the road around 1pm. We stop at McD's for lunch to go and eat it at the Sanford station. We arrive around 2pm. It works for us so we feel like we still get to do a couple more Disney things before leaving or purchase that gift we now decided we do want! Sometimes we get a park snack like caramel apple to eat at the station too (my attempt to prolong our Disney vacation as long as possible!)

So you should have plenty of time unless you take a long lunch.

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

You might want to make that a BIG lunch. The following was reported on an Amtrak discussion forum in mid-May. I'm not sure what we'll see by the time our trip in September rolls around, but since we book sleepers and that seems to be where the concentration of cuts is taking place, I can say with confidence I'm thinking about flying or driving next time. The value per dollar spent is dropping like a rock. Please don't shoot the messenger.

http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/index.php?/topic/58879-auto-train-cuts/page-15

When the train arrived in Lorton on May 16, all remaining china cups, plates, etc. were removed from the train. We are still using stainless steel flatware. The dishwasher position is now officially gone. New crew bids were held about 2 weeks ago, and the newly-constituted crews are making their first trips now. Previously, the dishwasher (actual title: "Food Service Specialist") served as a general assistant to the chefs, and his/her duties included making salads & other general help in addition to dish washing. Salads were supposed to disappear, but the word is now that they will be continued. One of the chefs will now make them. The chefs are now responsible for washing flatware, cooking pans & utensils, etc.

About a week ago, we were given "butcher block" paper to use as tablecloths. These are designed for butchers to use for wrapping raw meat, so they don't leak. That means they don't absorb anything that might be spilled. Spills ran all over the tables before we could stop them from flowing all over the place. On our last trip, the cloth table cloths were back, but I get the impression that they still want to replace the cloth table cloths with something disposable. We are generating far more trash than before.

Changes to the sleeper diner menu:
The steaks disappeared a couple weeks ago, replaced by short ribs of beef. Baked potatoes (and supplies of sour cream) are gone, replaced by mashed potatoes. The fish entree is now cod.
Serving size of the chicken dish is one very small chicken breast. Small pizzas have been added as an option for the kids. The Choo Choo Chewies are still with us, but the macaroni & cheese that was included, is now gone. Instead, the kids can have rice or mashed potatoes (have you ever heard of an American kid who preferred plain rice over mac & cheese? I haven't).

For breakfast, we have occasionally been receiving Raisin Bran again. This disappeared from the supplies several months ago, but has returned. Don't know whether it's permanently back or not. Bananas are no longer supplied to the diners for breakfast. Instead, oranges are substituted. Some say the breakfast tables look a bit strange with a bowl of oranges sitting next to a carafe of orange juice. A limited number of bananas is now supplied FOR SALE in the lounge car. Special K, Frosted Flakes, and warm bagels & corn muffins are still with us.

Lack of a lounge car to use as a waiting area continues to be a problem, especially on full trains.

Passenger counts have generally run as high as about 600 people. Future bookings appear to be very high, and management appears to be happy with the increased revenue from the extra coach and reduced costs because of the cuts.

There is talk of adding a seventh sleeper, probably as a test beginning in June. Various interests have claimed that this would put too much strain on the electrical system during summer months when air conditioning is running at peak levels. One plan is to take away the extra coach that was recently added, in order to allow this. Another is to keep both the extra coach AND the new sleeper.

 

[Vickie1016]

You might want to make that a BIG lunch. The following was reported on an Amtrak discussion forum in mid-May. I'm not sure what we'll see by the time our trip in September rolls around, but since we book sleepers and that seems to be where the concentration of cuts is taking place, I can say with confidence I'm thinking about flying or driving next time. The value per dollar spent is dropping like a rock. Please don't shoot the messenger.

http://discuss.amtraktrains.com/index.php?/topic/58879-auto-train-cuts/page-15

When the train arrived in Lorton on May 16, all remaining china cups, plates, etc. were removed from the train. We are still using stainless steel flatware. The dishwasher position is now officially gone. New crew bids were held about 2 weeks ago, and the newly-constituted crews are making their first trips now. Previously, the dishwasher (actual title: "Food Service Specialist") served as a general assistant to the chefs, and his/her duties included making salads & other general help in addition to dish washing. Salads were supposed to disappear, but the word is now that they will be continued. One of the chefs will now make them. The chefs are now responsible for washing flatware, cooking pans & utensils, etc.

About a week ago, we were given "butcher block" paper to use as tablecloths. These are designed for butchers to use for wrapping raw meat, so they don't leak. That means they don't absorb anything that might be spilled. Spills ran all over the tables before we could stop them from flowing all over the place. On our last trip, the cloth table cloths were back, but I get the impression that they still want to replace the cloth table cloths with something disposable. We are generating far more trash than before.

Changes to the sleeper diner menu:
The steaks disappeared a couple weeks ago, replaced by short ribs of beef. Baked potatoes (and supplies of sour cream) are gone, replaced by mashed potatoes. The fish entree is now cod.
Serving size of the chicken dish is one very small chicken breast. Small pizzas have been added as an option for the kids. The Choo Choo Chewies are still with us, but the macaroni & cheese that was included, is now gone. Instead, the kids can have rice or mashed potatoes (have you ever heard of an American kid who preferred plain rice over mac & cheese? I haven't).

For breakfast, we have occasionally been receiving Raisin Bran again. This disappeared from the supplies several months ago, but has returned. Don't know whether it's permanently back or not. Bananas are no longer supplied to the diners for breakfast. Instead, oranges are substituted. Some say the breakfast tables look a bit strange with a bowl of oranges sitting next to a carafe of orange juice. A limited number of bananas is now supplied FOR SALE in the lounge car. Special K, Frosted Flakes, and warm bagels & corn muffins are still with us.

Lack of a lounge car to use as a waiting area continues to be a problem, especially on full trains.

Passenger counts have generally run as high as about 600 people. Future bookings appear to be very high, and management appears to be happy with the increased revenue from the extra coach and reduced costs because of the cuts.

There is talk of adding a seventh sleeper, probably as a test beginning in June. Various interests have claimed that this would put too much strain on the electrical system during summer months when air conditioning is running at peak levels. One plan is to take away the extra coach that was recently added, in order to allow this. Another is to keep both the extra coach AND the new sleeper.

Thank you for this info. I have sent several emails to Amtrak directly asking about any possible changes to the sleeper dinner menu. Still no direct response - except that my email was forwarded to the correct department

DD8 eats like an adult (last year had the salad and the steak). I am not sure what she will eat this year. At least in Lorton, I can purchase food at that Italian restaurant that was posted several pages back, but in Sanford - not sure what I will do.

Flying is not an option for us (I hate it & will not fly). We drove in 2012 & the ride back was way too long! If we head to WDW again next year, might only take the train home. What a bummer

Thanks again for the info!

 

[huggiebear23]

Thanks for the info. I'm def bringing food In. And a bunch of snacks. Now I just need to add that bag that keeps food hot.

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

Thank you for this info. I have sent several emails to Amtrak directly asking about any possible changes to the sleeper dinner menu. Still no direct response - except that my email was forwarded to the correct department

DD8 eats like an adult (last year had the salad and the steak). I am not sure what she will eat this year. At least in Lorton, I can purchase food at that Italian restaurant that was posted several pages back, but in Sanford - not sure what I will do.

Flying is not an option for us (I hate it & will not fly). We drove in 2012 & the ride back was way too long! If we head to WDW again next year, might only take the train home. What a bummer

Thanks again for the info!

You're welcome, Vickie.

That was me that posted the information about the Italian restaurant in Lorton. For our return trip home, we usually arrive early at the Sanford station (11:00-11:30), park the car in one of the parking lots and walk inside to the check-in desk to get our preferred dining time. We don't drop off the car at that point because after checking in, we leave and go get lunch. My sister likes the Cracker Barrell near I-4, so that's where we usually go, but there are some other restaurants in that area as well and it's only maybe 2-3 miles from the AT station. I know others have reported driving into Sanford for a meal. After lunch, we return, turn in the car and wait for boarding.

This year, I think I'll try to pack a small cooler for the train. We like fresh fruit and vegies, and with the lounge car gone there are no more vegie trays before the train leaves. And with only oranges (at least at last report) in the morning, it would be nice to have some grapes or bananas. At least living so close to the Lorton AT station, I just go home for a full breakfast when we arrive. Those who want a full breakfast before hitting the road might want to consider hitting the 24-hour IHOP that's only maybe a mile from the AT station.

 

[jwboucher]

The Amtrak website is still showing steak for dinner for sleepers.

http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/245/213/Auto-Train-Sleeper-Dining-Car-Menu-201304.pdf

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

The Amtrak website is still showing steak for dinner for sleepers.

http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/245/213/Auto-Train-Sleeper-Dining-Car-Menu-201304.pdf

That menu says at the bottom it is accurate as of April 2013. There have been changes in the past year, especially in the past 3 months, and I'm pretty sure the menus on the website haven't been updated yet. They also don't mention that the sleeper lounge car has been removed and there is no longer a wine-tasting for the sleepers before the trip begins. I would love to be wrong about that, but I'm probably not.

 

[ldo]

took the autotrain in April. Waiters told me it is the same menu for coach and sleepers now. In coach, no free chips mix, no free fruit except at breakfast.

 

[Vickie1016]

You're welcome, Vickie.

That was me that posted the information about the Italian restaurant in Lorton. For our return trip home, we usually arrive early at the Sanford station (11:00-11:30), park the car in one of the parking lots and walk inside to the check-in desk to get our preferred dining time. We don't drop off the car at that point because after checking in, we leave and go get lunch. My sister likes the Cracker Barrell near I-4, so that's where we usually go, but there are some other restaurants in that area as well and it's only maybe 2-3 miles from the AT station. I know others have reported driving into Sanford for a meal. After lunch, we return, turn in the car and wait for boarding.

This year, I think I'll try to pack a small cooler for the train. We like fresh fruit and vegies, and with the lounge car gone there are no more vegie trays before the train leaves. And with only oranges (at least at last report) in the morning, it would be nice to have some grapes or bananas. At least living so close to the Lorton AT station, I just go home for a full breakfast when we arrive. Those who want a full breakfast before hitting the road might want to consider hitting the 24-hour IHOP that's only maybe a mile from the AT station.

On our southbound trips, we have a 5 hour drive from NYC, so I always have a cooler for the truck as well as a cooler to take on the train. I will probaly do the same, pack fruit & vegies as DD8 really liked that when we arrived.

On our northbound trips, we usually do the same as you for lunch. Check in at the station to get the dinner time slot of our choice, then head to get lunch. Last year we went to Outback (I think). I always pack a cooler with snacks as our second trip in 2010, we arrived back in Lorton 6 hours late!! We were only served breakfast. So from then on, I will always pack a cooler.

I actually called Amtrak today (the 800 number). The operator told me "there are no changes to the sleeper car dinner menu, what is posted on the website is what is currently being served." I proceeded to explain what I have read here and she was just repeated the same. I asked for the direct phone numbers to both Lorton (703-690-3615) & Sanford (407-323-4800) stations. I will be calling both in the am to see if I can get any answers.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Marshay]

Thank you for this article. It's good to know what is happening on board.

I wrote to Amtrak too...never got a reply except for the "we got your email" message.

Very disappointed in all these changes...we don't go until oct (purchased our tickets before all these changes and feel very ripped off).

Fuunny how they switched to oranges, esp when you have OJ,already. I would think bananas would be cheaper and easier to eat, too. I already told DH we are not purchasing anything on board on principle.

Anyway, I'm positive our fall trip will be our last AT sadly. It was great pre-2014...

Keep the reports coming!

 

[vacationer1954]

Passenger counts have generally run as high as about 600 people. Future bookings appear to be very high, and management appears to be happy with the increased revenue from the extra coach and reduced costs because of the cuts.

This is just what happened with airline travel, so I'm not surprised to see it happening with train travel. By buying tickets we are approving the changes. We're not willing to give up the Auto Train due to reduction in food service. It is just overnight. With a little extra planning, we can pack a picnic that costs less than how much extra they'd probably have charged us to keep the same level of food service as before, so maybe that's what we'll do.

 

[Marshay]

Well, after just saying yesterday that I never got a response from Amtrak, I got the following email today...Hmmm, maybe Amtrak is reading these posts?
===========================================
Thank you for your correspondence regarding recent changes to our service. Please allow us to offer an explanation for these adjustments.

Amtrak is committed to the future of intercity passenger rail in the United States, and we believe rail travel is critical to the competitiveness of our nation. The need and demand for improved and efficient transportation is growing with the population, yet investments are declining. This has required Amtrak to investigate opportunities for cost reductions, efficiency enhancements, and revenue improvements while delivering the reliability and performance our passengers have come to expect.

In order to achieve this objective, we have had to make some difficult decisions regarding our service, including a reduction in some onboard amenities, and changes to various fare discounts we offer. Steps are also being taken to ensure that our staffing is aligned with ridership, customer demand, and financial performance on each route. As we hope you will understand, these determinations were not made lightly, and are being implemented wholly with the purpose of ensuring the financial excellence Amtrak requires to deliver intercity transportation into the future with superior safety, customer service, and efficiency.

Once again, we appreciate you taking the time to send us your comments and we hope to have the opportunity to serve you in the future.

Sincerely,

Amtrak Customer Relations
==============================