Originally posted by singitalto
In the last week, the auto train varied from 23 min late (acceptable) to 5 hours and 12 minutes late(SOOOO unacceptable). The avg was between 2-3 hours late??? How can this be so bad???
Amtrak's other trains on this same route (Washington to Tampa/Orlando) have been late as well the past few days, so something is holding them up enroute. This could be anything from freight train interference (see below) to track maintenance restrictions (and since the Capitol Limited's derailment, this is bound to recieve some attention).
There are only two "Auto-Train" sets of train equipment, so every day both sets must make an 8:30 a.m. or so arrival and a 4 P.M. departure. Between these times the cars and locomotives must be serviced, cleaned, and reloaded. In fact, the auto carriers must be ready and start loading a couple hours prior to scheduled departure for the train to leave "on-time".
I don't have specifics on the last week's delays, but what I've seen happen is for one (or both) trainsets to arrive so late - for whatever reason - that that afternoon's departure is delayed, making the train late the next morning, then late the next afternoon again, and so on. It sometimes has taken several days to slowly return to normal. Compensation for excessively late arrivals is available (or for other problems with your trip, should anything break down or just not perform correctly).
This is unusual, as Auto-Train historically has among the best (often the best) in-time performance record in the Amtrak system (for long-distance trains). In fact, all trains on the route used to be among the best performers, but all have grown more and more tardy over recent months (CSX railroad gets a lot of the blame).
Last time I was on Auto-Train we arrived 30 minutes early. Very late arrivals are still extremly rare, but since you have to wait for your car anyway, don't let modest delays bother you at all. Regardless, things should hopefully improve for these trains by next month (the Palmetto is, in fact, on-time for today).