Is the Autotrain always LATE????

[singitalto]

We are taking the Autotrain next month and I was just looking around the amtrak site. I found where you could check the arrival times of the autotrains. 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??? Has anyone been compensated for being almost 6 hours late?????

Is the auto train always late like this?? What are the experiences out there???

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I took the Auto Train when I first moved down here to Orlando (2yrs ago... wow... how time flies... lol) if I remember correctly, we were an hour late arriving due to some construction or whatnot... *shrug*...

It didn't matter to me that much though because my car was one of the first to be unloaded. Yay

 

[izzy]

Amtrak is notoriously late based on the articles I've read, and from what I see from your research! I just went from Richmond, VA to Washington D.C. on my first (and last!) train trip, and the arrivals board showed that every single train for that day - and there were about 7 on the board - was running anywhere from 1 hour to 4 hours late that day. I said never again.

I've heard part of the problem is that passenger trains have to "give way" to freight trains. I guess the person who has the job of scheduling trains must be under more stress than the an air traffic controller - LOL!!

 

[DC7800]

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).

 

[DC7800]

Originally posted by izzy
I've heard part of the problem is that passenger trains have to "give way" to freight trains. I guess the person who has the job of scheduling trains must be under more stress than the an air traffic controller - LOL!!

Actually, by law it is the other way around. Passenger trains always have the right of way over freight trains. Problem is, this "law" is broken routinely, and whenever that happens the passenger train is late.

Amtrak operates over tracks owned, maintained, and dispatched by the (private) freight railroads. They make no money by hosting the Amtrak operation, so it's little wonder they often give priority to their own trains. It's not supposed to work that way, and some railroads are (MUCH) worse offenders than others. Even if it means delaying (and suffering a financial penalty on) your own operation, Amtrak is supposed to take priority.

Freight and passenger trains are not incompatible on the same railroad. It does, however, take a well-maintained, expertly-dispatched and managed, and precisely scheduled operation to make it all work together. Some companies fall short - particularly out west, the on-time performance of the Sunset Limited can be truly abysmal.

 

[ducklite]

Amtrack is notorious for being delayed, late, and cancelled. On the rare occaision that I travel by rail, I expect to be late.

THey do not compensate you in any way for being late--even if you are a day or two late.

Also, just becaues you get there on time doesn't mean taht 10 minutes later you are driving away--it can take up to three hours to unload all the vehicles.

If you are that concerned, fly, drive, or plan on being late and then be pleasantly suprised when you are early or ontime.

Anne

 

[Disneylvr]

Although I have never been on the Autotrain, I have frequently used Amtrak from St. Louis to Chicago and St. Louis to Kansas City. Not once have I ever arrived early or on time. We have had late arrivals anywhere from 1 hour to 5 hours. Freight lines own the tracks and the freight trains always get priority over passenger trains.

 

[CM Tinkerbell]

Out of about 4 trips using Autotrain, I was only late once and it was minor, maybe a 1/2 hour or so late. As far as the unloading of cars, most cars are unloaded in about an hours time. You can be on your way fairly quickly depending on where your car is located when they begin unloading, or you may be one of the last cars off. I've experienced both and the wait has never been too bad. It would be unfortunate to experience a 4 hour delay, however, I think that's more the exception then the norm with Auto Train. I know it's a lot more common on the regular Amtrak routes.

 

[DVC Chris]

The AutoTrain is a different route than most Amtrak routes in that it is an 'express' train bewteen Lorton, VA and Sanford, FL. As you will hear here and in other places it is/was one of the only long-distance Amtrak routes where Amtrak even come close to breaking even (or making $$'s). As such, they put there best people and equipment on the route. As other have said, the Auto Train runs along track owned and operated by CSX. The train can run late for a variety of reasons. One reason is that they have to wait for other freight trains. Another could be weather related... If it is raining heavily, they have to slow down to 15 mph for 'flood watch conditions'.. Another issue is if the train from the day before came in late. On the few times, I have taken the train, we were about an hour late once and another times we were 45 minutes early, each way.

I guess it's a hit or miss thing that you just need to prepare yourself for when you take the train. Look at it as part of the vacation.

 

[laurieny]

We took the Autotrain last year. Both directions we were early coming in. But unfortunately our car was always one of the last ones off and that added at least 1 hour to our trip.

 

[Disneyholic]

I read in the paper that since the accident in DC the trains are limited to 45 mph till late September. They usually get up as high at 75 mph. The cut in speed is due to heat warping the tracks, which if seen at 45 mph could mean the difference between stopping and disrailment. At 75 mph by the time you see the warp in the rail, you're already on it.

My family and I are going on August 18 and I am expecting some delay because of this slowdown. I am happy that they are keeping our safety in mind with this ruling and will be more than happy to be on the train a little longer as long as we get there safely. JMHO

 

[singitalto]

Like I said before I've been keeping track of the Autotrain and how late it has been. In the last 11 days it has been late every day , only 2x was it late only <1hour. It has been 2-3 hours late each day. If the train can only go 45mph, they should modify the arrival time to 11am, so we can prepare to be on the train a couple of hours longer. JMHO!

 

[gtaylor]

If 5 hours is unacceptable then I'm afraid AMTRAK isn't the way you want to go. You just have to figure on being late, the only question being how late. I think over the last few years they've taken to padding their schedules so expectations aren't raised too high. I think the latest we've ever been was 12-14 hours late but then I never plan on making same day connections so I've never been delayed over a day as folks who don't make their connections are....Greg

 

[singitalto]

Wow- 12-14 hours late! Maybe now we know why Amtrak is in such a mess!! Don't get me wrong, I don't mind being a little late, but >5 hours is just unacceptable!!!

I don't know if I would have booked the auto train if I knew it was going to take 22-30 hours for a 12 hour drive. I just don't get it!

 

[grumbada]

Yes, it's true... After the last Amtrak train derailing due to tracks that had warped due to the excessive summer heat, the decision was made that on certain stretches, the trains would HAVE to run at slower speeds during the hot period... Better slow and safe than very very sorry or worse. I once heard that a train running at normal speed would take over a mile's distance in order to come to a complete stop (which gives one a new appreciation for the conductor and his 'eagle-eyes').

Amtrak has suffered terribly financially and almost went under this year. I have been on several train trips with them and I love the ability to ride to the destination, watch scenery to my heart's content, read, take enough time to plan out what I'm going to do or reflect on where I've just been, and meet people from all over the country... And back when I was afraid of flying (before 9/11) it was my vacation transportation of choice. I simply love that "kathunk-kathunk-kathunk" sound! I never thought of them as a "get there FAST!" kinda transportation sysytem. Actually, I would LOVE to try the Auto-train, but it's so dern PRICEY! ..Well, by my standards, anyway...

On the flipside, it really is too bad about Amtrak's seeming inability to get to it's destinations on time... At least recently. The first time I rode Amtrak was 11+ years ago in November from Newport News to Montreal, Canada... And we actually got there ahead of schedule! On the way back was another story... We *would* have been right on schedule, but... ahem... well... Let's just say that it was dark, there was an emergency, and it really DOES take over a mile to halt a train.

Anyway... If you are not in too much of a rush to get there and are flexible with your time, I would still recommend the train, especially if you've never riden one.

 

[n2mm]

Correct about the 45 miles per hour speed. NEW rules for the Washington DC area, and probably other areas too. I take a commuter train to Wash. DC every day to work (and home). Whenever the temperature is 90 degrees or higher, ALL trains must go 45 miles per hour. CSX owns the tracks. There are priorities over who has first priority. Believe it, or not, Freight trains have top priority, followed by Amtrak, then commuter trains (like mine). So, it only takes one to breakdown to mess things up. We are late from 30 minutes to 2 hours EVERY night right now. Not always weather related. We have to wait for the Amtrak to leave before us many times. Then once we all are going 45 MPH, you can imagine the backups that occur. I'm not a happy camper, but want everyone to know that taking the train is not a glamorous, cost efficient, or fun way to travel. It only takes me 2 hours to get from Washington DC to Orlando. A non-stop flight out of Dulles. It's so sad that I can fly to Orlando faster than I can commute to work in Wash.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I have taken the AutoTrain 12 times in the last six years. Most times we were right on time, or once even early. But ........

One time we were delayed seven and a half hours!! This was in May of 1996. We were heading south from Lorton, and violent thunderstroms hit right as we were pulling out of the station. We came to a halt in southern Virginia, and did not move for hours. Aparently, a tornado knocked down trees over the tracks in northern North Carolina. So we were stuck until Amtrak cleared the tracks. We did not start moving again until midnight, and when we woke up, we were only in southern North Carolina, not Jacksonville! We finally made it to Sanford at 4:30 p.m., when we should have been there at 9:00 a.m. It was a long trip, but we found stuff to do, and we had a sleeper, which certainly helped! The staff was great - they scrounged around the galley to make lunch for everyone - which was not an easy feat since lunch is not supposed to be served on the AutoTrain. But they found food somewhere and made a good stew.

So this delay was a rariety - we were never that delayed again. We really enjoy the train, as it is part of the "adventure".

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