All about the Autotrain

[bdcp]

Hi. I saw a post that said they keep the windows down in your vehicle when it is on the train. Why would they do that? Wouldn't the inside of the car get a lot of dirt and dust from the trip since the train cars have openings in the side? Thanks.

About a dozen round trips and have never had that happen. The openings have vent covers that slant down. Any dust, will settle down past them and not into the carriers. The inside of our vehicles have always been fine. And, as others have said, they do it so vehicles don't get keys locked in (there's always vehicles onboard that use keys). It's policy and I doubt it will change anytime soon.

 

[dingleberry]

Three of us planning to ride Coach on the Auto Train. I want to buy 4 seats to avoid sharing a seat with a stranger. But I noticed Amtrak asks for the name of each traveler.

Does anyone know if Amtrak will have an issue with this? As long as they get their money, i would think...

Thanks!

 

[Kim&Chris]

Three of us planning to ride Coach on the Auto Train. I want to buy 4 seats to avoid sharing a seat with a stranger. But I noticed Amtrak asks for the name of each traveler.

Does anyone know if Amtrak will have an issue with this? As long as they get their money, i would think...

Thanks!

Hmmm. Maybe add the name of a family member who's not going & who won't mind you using their name. If asked, you could always say that they had to cancel last minute. But I can honestly tell you I have never had to show ID at the station, so they probably won't even ask about it.

 

[dingleberry]

Hmmm. Maybe add the name of a family member who's not going & who won't mind you using their name. If asked, you could always say that they had to cancel last minute. But I can honestly tell you I have never had to show ID at the station, so they probably won't even ask about it.

Thank you!

 

[bdcp]

Hmmm. Maybe add the name of a family member who's not going & who won't mind you using their name. If asked, you could always say that they had to cancel last minute. But I can honestly tell you I have never had to show ID at the station, so they probably won't even ask about it.

They used to ask for ID at check in but for some strange reason they stopped a few years ago.

 

[DanBoris]

Three of us planning to ride Coach on the Auto Train. I want to buy 4 seats to avoid sharing a seat with a stranger. But I noticed Amtrak asks for the name of each traveler.

Does anyone know if Amtrak will have an issue with this? As long as they get their money, i would think...

Thanks!

This may not work as you expect. Coach seats are not reserved so there is nothing to stop someone sitting, or a conductor putting someone in that extra seat.

 

[Kim&Chris]

They used to ask for ID at check in but for some strange reason they stopped a few years ago.

I hope they begin checking them again.

This may not work as you expect. Coach seats are not reserved so there is nothing to stop someone sitting, or a conductor putting someone in that extra seat.

But she's paying for the seat? Seems like if she's paying for it, it should be hers.

 

[DanBoris]

I hope they begin checking them again.

But she's paying for the seat? Seems like if she's paying for it, it should be hers.

She is paying for a ticket, not for a specific seat. If that seat is un-occupied it is fair game.

 

[bdcp]

She is paying for a ticket, not for a specific seat. If that seat is un-occupied it is fair game.

Not true. If you purchase a seat on the Auto Train, when you check in, one is assigned to you. No such thing as "fair game" on the AT. All seats are assigned.

 

[David Gardner]

Can a person check in without being present, though?

 

[DanBoris]

Not true. If you purchase a seat on the Auto Train, when you check in, one is assigned to you. No such thing as "fair game" on the AT. All seats are assigned.

But there won't be a person to check in for that seat.

 

[bdcp]

But there won't be a person to check in for that seat.

If the person purchased two seats they would be under one name. So, if that's the case, then checking in for both would take care of that. I've never known anyone who has done it but I don't know of any reason it can't be done. Traveling at less busy times, you're more likely to have an empty seat next to you. When we rode coach (15-20 years ago) there were a couple of trips where the train wasn't sold out and they gave us each a seat with an empty seat next to us and blocked those seats. Having two seats to stretch out on was nice at night.

 

[pwdebbie]

I've done the AutoTrain twice. And each time I got off and said, "Never again." So why am I thinking about doing it again? Argh! Any recent travelers have updates?

 

[KSL]

No recent experiences, but I'm responding to say: you're not alone! I am the exact same way! I think after enough time goes by between trips I think, 'maybe it wasn't as bad as I remember' but then it is. LOL. And yet, I'm sure I'll do it again....!

 

[buzzrelly]

I've done the AutoTrain twice. And each time I got off and said, "Never again." So why am I thinking about doing it again? Argh! Any recent travelers have updates?

No recent experiences, but I'm responding to say: you're not alone! I am the exact same way! I think after enough time goes by between trips I think, 'maybe it wasn't as bad as I remember' but then it is. LOL. And yet, I'm sure I'll do it again....!

May I ask what was so bad about it that makes you never want to do it again? I haven't done it but have considered it many times since we drive from CT and I hate it so much. I thought it might be relaxing to get on the train and relax.

 

[KSL]

Cost has increased quite a bit and yet the offerings have been cut back
We've had a couple of less-than-stellar stewards (not the norm, but these couple left an impression)
Not as clean or well-maintained as it should be, IMO

Though, there are some nice pros, too, and as I said, I'm sure I will do it again. But I do empathize with the pp's sentiment!

 

[GoingSince1990]

I've done the AutoTrain twice. And each time I got off and said, "Never again." So why am I thinking about doing it again? Argh! Any recent travelers have updates?

My wife and I took it a few days ago from Sanford to Lorton and we had a pleasant trip where everything ran smoothly. We always book a bedroom and my main issue in the past has been the lack of room to move and the difficulty of getting to the sink when the beds are made up, but this time I booked 2 connecting bedrooms (B and C) and we only had the beds made up in one of the bedrooms so the sink in the other one was fully accessible at all times. And we also had 2 private bathrooms available. The extra cost was around $500 for the connecting bedroom which I thought was totally worth it for the extra comfort and convenience; at about $250 extra per person, cheaper than upgrading most airline tickets to First Class but for a much longer trip.

 

[pwdebbie]

May I ask what was so bad about it that makes you never want to do it again? I haven't done it but have considered it many times since we drive from CT and I hate it so much. I thought it might be relaxing to get on the train and relax.

Primarily, it's the bathrooms! First trip, I was in a bedroom, so I had a commode in my room. I'm plus-size (18) and had to back into the commode area from the room. No room to turn, bend, and the rest. (You are supposedly able to take a shower in there as well, not sure how one would accomplish that!) Second trip, I got a roomette because I heard that the four shared bathrooms in each car (on the bottom level) were slightly bigger, emphasis on slightly.

Also, I didn't sleep the greatest but now I know that as a solo traveler, I can ask the steward to get the second mattress down for me, which would provide a bit more padding.

My first trip, my car was the last one off. In fact, they announced all vehicles were unloaded and mine was still not there! Finally it came around the corner. How do you lose an SUV? Second trip, I was toward the end of unloading as well. I think I get there too early and my vehicle is one of the first ones on, so one of the last ones off.

I did like the trip itself. One trip was at Christmas and we passed through many decorated towns. Very pretty to see at night. The food was good and I enjoyed meeting others in the dining car. I was comfortable sitting in the room and the roomette, and there was always the option of taking a walk.

When I drive, I prefer to only drive about six hours a day, which means I spend two nights in a hotel. Auto Train eliminates one hotel night.

 

[hardcorestitch]

Condolences to all our friends in Lorton who are unable to make it to Disney due to Amtrak service disruptions.

 

[pwdebbie]

Cost has increased quite a bit and yet the offerings have been cut back
We've had a couple of less-than-stellar stewards (not the norm, but these couple left an impression)
Not as clean or well-maintained as it should be, IMO

Though, there are some nice pros, too, and as I said, I'm sure I will do it again. But I do empathize with the pp's sentiment!

Oh, I forgot that the steward on my second trip was not a happy fellow. Everything was a bother to him. The steward on the first trip was great, really seemed to enjoy his job.