Auto Train

[Marcy Mouse]

Has anyone takin the Auto Train! When and how was it! We are thinking of going in August first time. We would like to know what to expect.

Thanks!

 

[princesspwrhr]

We took Autotrain in December. I only have a few complaints and none of them have to do with Amtrack!

1) my kids were the ONLY children on the whole flippin train, there were none in the depot at Lorton or Sanford. The train was populated by 'snow birds' or retired folk heading to Fl,some of which were incredibly rude to us making audible comments about how 'children should not be in the dining car' or 'we never traveled with our children until they were at least 10' or other such remarks about children being seen and not heard. The nicer of them just gave extremely dirty looks. It was so bad my dh took the younger children and stormed out of the dining car. My kids weren't misbehaving, if they were, I would have understood, but they've acted worse in Ruby Tuesdays and had these same 'type' people gush over how cute they are! I have 2 toddlers and a school age child. On theflip side while we were waiting for our van we talked to the nicest woman and then a couple who fit the same demographic as the ones who made dinner hell. Why couldn't these people have sat near us at dinner? Oh and we had the first seating.

2) The toddlers would NOT sleep. Not even Benedryl helped. So it was a very bad night.

3) Ok maybe this one does have to do with Amtrack, there is no reasonably priced food at the 'store' in Sanford. My oldest wanted a snack while we were waiting for our van, so I took her into the tiny shop to find a snack and ended up paying $6 for a 6pack of pb/cheese crackers and a 20 oz water. A snack that would have cost me under $2 from a snack machine if they had had one. So pack loads more snacks than you think you need or grab extra muffins and cookies at breakfast.

I would do it again when my toddlers are older and more likely to sleep. We had a family compartment and in fact were the only ones on our part of the train, guess they knew we had the only kids? lol Everything went smoothly, we arrived and checked in at the gate they tell you to roll down your driver side window and pull up. Once you pull up you unload yourselves and whatever you need for the night and get a vehicle # written on your ticket. Then you go into the station to check in. The Lorton station is huge but there is no eateries in it and very little choice around it before you check in. They are doing a LOT of construction in the area, but unless you like McDonalds you better get food before Lorton. Once we boarded the train we were introduced to our attendent who was fabulous. He explained about the compartment, the outlets, when dinner was, the lounge car, how the radio worked, how to call him if we needed him, etc. While we were at dinner they turned down our beds. The beds were a bit more comfortable than a sofa sleeper. The top bunks were more comfortable than the bottom, but had the tots slept I could have slept well. There is a shower on the train, my dh used it and said it was (as expected) a bit cramped but fine none the less. Having long hair and low temps outside I decided to wait until check in. The toliet facilities are adequate. Breakfast is not at a set time. They start serving around 6 and end at 8ish and the attendents changed out sheets and put the beds up while we were at breakfast. Breakfast is a cold continental type and the selection of cereals reflected the demographic of the majority on our train. If the train is on time you are supposed to arrive in Sanford about 830, we got there about 915. Once you disembark the train the Sanford station is a sharp contrast to the Lorton one. They have either recently redone or just built the one on Lorton whereas the Sanford one is about 1/3 of the size and showing some age. We opted to wait outside for our van and avoid the staredowns from cranky older travelers who wanted to do nothing but glower at our overtired toddlers. Here we did notice one other child, a boy about 12, but I;m sure he wasn't getting dirty looks since he was 'of traveling age' Your vehicles are not unloaded in any particular order, I think we waited about an hour for ours and we were one of the last ones. Just keep out your folder with your ticket and car # on it. When they call your # go over to the loading area and show the attendent your # and they let you in the vehicle.

It was about half an hour from Sanford to FW. We didn't take autotrain back since we took an extended trip to GA to visit family. I would do it again, when my kids are older and may sleep on the train. And I definately wouldn't do it coach. But that's just knowing my family.

 

[Marcy Mouse]

Well there are 3 of us going (All girls trip) so I hope it will be ok. I was worried that it may be a rough ride.

Thanks Again!

 

[Cupmom]

Thanks for the report. I've booked a return trip in August since we are visiting family in NC on the way down. I booked 2 bedrooms for me, DH, DS13 and DS5. My husban wanted his own bathroom so it was the only way to go. It only came to about $26 more than the family bedroom and we got 2 baths. Looking foward to the trip. I know it will be an adventure but driving back home after the parks and the heat is pure torture!!

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I LOVE the AutoTrain! I usually take it one way on every trip, and drive the other. I usually take the opposite direction than the Snowbirds, since it's far cheaper that way. Over the years, I done coach and sleeper, depending on how much I want to spend. I actually don't mind going coach. I usually travel solo when the train isn't crowded, so I can spread out over two seats and I sleep on and off during the night. I never sleep terrifically, but good enough. Sometimes I actually like coach since I can feel a tad isolated in a sleeper.

I also am one that sees the train as part of the adventure, and I look forward to being on the AutoTrain. I love watching the countryside pass by, and love trying to figure out what little town we are going through. I met some interesting people at dinner, since they seat you in groups of 4.

To princesspwrhr - Ugh!! I can easily see some people of a "certain age" on the AutoTrain having that attitude towards your kids. Sorry you went through that. Usually people on the AutoTrain are better than that.

To the OP - have a great trip on the train!

 

[Henlady]

DH and I also thoroughly enjoy traveling via the AutoTrain. We are never in a hurry, so if there is a delay, it doesn't bother us. We also look at the trip as part of our vacation adventure, not just a means of transportation. We use the time on the train to unwind before our vacation starts and on the return trip to get back in to the groove of being done with the vacation. The trip can sometimes be a little rough at times. We have done both coach and rooms, prefer the rooms, but coach is OK.
Sorry you ran into some not so nice people with regard to your children. But you can run into "grouchy old people" from time to time. One trip, an elderly lady complained that there were "children in the lower level seating" of "her car"(she was seated in the upper level and there was no way she could have heard them or been bothered by them). I guess some people are just miserable, but I can see where it would have upset you. We have had the opportunity to meet and converse with some very nice and interesting fellow passengers. Hopefully your next trip will be more pleasant.

Kris

25 days till our "Favorite Restaurant Tour" - AutoTrain to WDW>Cocoa Beach>St. Augustine>Myrtle Beach>Berkley Springs, WV

130 days till our September Free dining excursion.