All about the Autotrain

[bdcp]

You're welcome, but 3 1/2 hours from Mechanicsburg seems long. About 2 hours from Mechanicsburg to my home and 45 minutes to an hour to Lorton. I assume it's the turn you missed. Did you see the castle south of rt 50? It's a pretty rural route. How was the train?

 

[daksmom11]

Could anyone please tell me if there are doors on the sleepers? Do they lock? If I wanted to leave stuff in the compartment would they be safe?
Thank you .

 

[DC7800]

Yes, the sleepers have doors, but they do not lock from the outside (you can latch the door from inside the room only). I wouldn't leave valuables (cameras, Ipod, etc.) laying around in plain sight (put them away in your bags when not in use), but otherwise you will be fine. It's not like someone can grab your belongings and make a run for it from a moving train, everyone else is going the same place you are anyway, and they have to leave at least a few (overnight) items in their rooms too.

 

[daksmom11]

DC7800 Thank you ! I kinda figured that but it always good to get some advice.

 

[erinch]

the sleepers also have curtains which draw across the windows, so no one can look in when you leave, if you have them drawn.

We were delayed by a CSX train outside of Quantico on Sunday morning Aug 7, so it seems freight trains are equal opportunity delayers

 

[Credit Man]

We just returned from WDW, taking the AutoTrain south on 8/13 and north on 8/26. The southbound trip was 8 hours late, arriving at 4:30. The explination was track work just south of Lorton. The northbound trip was 30 minutes early. On both occasions it took about an hour to get the car. The ride was much smoother than previous years.

 

[bdcp]

8 hours late because you left late, or because you got stopped or what? We're going round trip in Nov and I'm curious. Fortunately we live less than an hour from Lorton, so we know the area well and can always leave if there's a delay departing.

 

[Henlady]

I have been keeping track of the arrival and departure times for the Auto Train for about the past 2 1/2 weeks, because I had read on the Disboards about late arrivals. There was about a week or so where there were very late (5-8 Hours) arrivals and then late departures. That seems to have gone down during the past week. Most Auto Train departures are on time or maybe up to 10 or 20 minutes early, and the arrivals are around 1 to 2 hours late. I had read earlier this summer that delays were expected due to track repairs, could this be the problem?
We're traveling on Oct 21 and then again on Oct 30, Hopefully they'll get the "problem" fixed before then.

Kris

 

[AnnetteF]

Henlady:
How do you keep track of the arrival and departure times? We leave this Saturday and I would love to take a look at those myself. I looked around on Amtrak's website, but can't find it. Thank you for your help.

 

[spima3]

Same here. Thanks.
Lori

 

[Henlady]

Hi AnnetteF & spima3, give this a try
go to www.amtrak.com and the page that comes up will be the "Fare Finder" page,
below the "Fare Finder" is an area for "Train Status" type in LOR (for Lorton) departure and SFA (for Sanford) then click on the previous days date - Aug 31, and then 4:00pm for the time and click "departure time". Click the orange NEXT button. At the lower portion of the next screen click the orange button "CHECK STATUS", a screen will come up showing the departure time from Lorton and the arrival or expected arrival time at Sanford. The same thing can be done using the reverse - SFA departure and LOR arrival.
The trains have been leaving Lorton on time or a few minutes early for the past week and arriving in Sanford anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours late. This mornings status shows that the Auto train left Lorton at 4:10pm yesterday and is expected to arrive at Sanford at approximately 10:02 am this morning.

Have a Great trip Annette. Let us know how the travel part goes.

Kris

50 days till we leave for our 30th Anniversary Tour - 4 nights on the Wonder and a few days at PO-R

 

[D. Baker]

A few questions for any and all those knowledgeable in this area.

We have booked a trip to Florida for February 2006, aboard the Auto Train. Having always chosen to drive, this will be our very first trip on the train. I’m sure with gas prices being what they are now, and even with the cost of booking a sleeper, there has to be savings. Our hope is that the proper funding bill will signed and not vetoed, in order to allow Amtrak to continue it’s service. Anyway, back to the questions.

(1) Are the sleepers located on both level of the train and if so, which level have you found preferable? Can you tell by your ticket which level you’re on and can you request a change upon boarding? I would welcome everyone’s opinion of the room and their experience in same for the trip.

(2) How many windows are located in the rooms? Should you want some fresh air, do these windows slide or open in some way?

(3) Are there electrical outlets located in the rooms?

(4) From what I’ve read, the food is very good at dinner, albeit a bit rushed at times. Would that be the proper expectation? Not much has been said about what is offered for breakfast.

(5) How much carry-on are you allowed to bring onto to the train?

(6) How long does the lounge car remain open?

I know I could probably think of a hundred more, but that may be enough for the time being. I would very much like to hear about anyone’s experience aboard the Auto Train. Both good and bad. Either post it or if you prefer, e-mail me privately.

Thanks All !

 

[christinou]

1. Sleepers are on both level, but depending on what kind you booked, you might not have a chance of requesting a level. Family sleepers are on the first level, with the handicapped sleepers and the 2 person sleppers, the deluxe sleepers are on the second level.
2. All sleepers have windows, the number again depends on the kind of sleeper.
3. I know that there is an electrical outlet in the family sleeper, I am not sure about the other one
4. We thought that the food was very good, we had a choice of filet or salmon, and cheesecake for dessert, they have white and red wine, soft drinks, milk and coffeee.
5.. We each carried on a backpack, without a problem, remember that there is not much room to put your carry on in.
6. I believe that the lounge car is open all night.

 

[Henlady]

Welcome D Baker
I will try to answer your questions as accurately as possible. We have traveled by Auto Train multiple times, but our next trip is the first in a "room".
I have done extensive research on the rooms/roomettes. So here goes.

1. There are sleepers located on both levels of the train. On the tickets we received there is a #9 listed in front of the car number of the train. that I believe designates the room # you are assigned to. We have a roomette #9.
There is a diagram on another site that I unfortunately didn't bookmark that shows the numbered rooms/roomettes. According to that diagram, #9 is on the second level at the end of the car.

2. Roomettes (for 2 people) have one window. The windows do not open.
However there are climate controls in each compartment to adjust the temp.

3. There are electrical outlets in each compartment, but not sure how "powerful" of an electrical "appliance" you could use.

4. Food is fairly good considering you're on a train. You have a choice of 4 entrees - usually chicken, fish, beef, pasta and the meal includes wine and/or coffee, tea and a choice of ice cream or cheesecake for desert. Breakfast consists of muffins, bagels, cereal, usually a banana or orange, juice, milk, coffee, tea. Snacks consist of cookies, a munchie mix of tortilla chips/fritos/pretzels/cheesies, a variety of fresh fruit and coffee and tea.
I read here that for passangers with rooms (ie..first class) that there is now a wine tasting session after you board

5. It is suggested that you take only 1 carryon per person. There really isn't much room for storage. We usually take our own pillow.

6. The lounge car was available the whole trip.

Hope this helps.

Kris

50 days till we leave for our 30th Anniversary Tour - 4 night Wonder cruise and a few days at PO-R.

 

[Credit Man]

Regarding the question of our 8 hour late arrival on the southbound Autotrain of 8/13.
We departed on time, but incountered delays as soon as we left. What would normally take about an hour at the begining of our trip took 5 hours. we did not reach the SC crew change stop till 6 AM. That is usually reached at 11:30 PM.
We were offered and accepted a $175 credit on future Amtrak travel because of the delays.

 

[spima3]

Thanks for the info about tracking Henlady; now I feel empowered!
Lori

 

[D. Baker]

Many thanks to Henlady and christinou. The information you provided, answers many questions.

To all, I would love to hear about your recent experiences riding the auto train to Florida. Having never been on a train before, it’s hard to answer all the non-stop questions from my 13 year old.

Thanks again!

 

[Micheme]

How we leave in 3 weeks and i am starting to freak out.

A few questions

1. we have a family bedroom comparment, i understand these are on the lower level. How did you find these comparments? Was it very bumpy, i get very car sick so i am concerned with this. Did the close proximity to the bathrooms bother you in any way (ie chemical smell, were they busy)
How is the space in there?
Is there family bedroom on the upper levels at all?

2. The delays is there a reason for them, is it an everyday occurance.

3. We are staying overnight in Woodbridge, any issues with driving from there to Lorton

Thats all i can think about at the moment,
Thanks Michelle

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

We had a family bedroom in Aug

We found the ride very smooth for most parts, Some rocking but nothing upsetting.

The bathrooms are up the hall from the family bedroom. We didnt notice any smell while in our cabin.

We lost power a couple of times and arrive about an hour late, but this happened overnight while we were sleeping.

I use a cpap machine for sleeping so when the power went out I woke up, But it was only for a few minutes each time.

Overall we would do it again,

 

[Ct_TiggerFan]

You're welcome, but 3 1/2 hours from Mechanicsburg seems long. About 2 hours from Mechanicsburg to my home and 45 minutes to an hour to Lorton. I assume it's the turn you missed. Did you see the castle south of rt 50? It's a pretty rural route. How was the train?

We took our time and had to stop a couple times for dd rest stops. We enjoyed the ride and would do this route again.
The train was fine, but my dw and I are pooh shaped so sleeping on the pull outs was hard on us. dd sleeped fine.

I would do it again even with the sleeping issue.