Late Auto Train Arrivals

[Hennalady]

What is the latest Auto Train arival time on the Lorton to Sanford trip? We are planning a Disney Cruise and will be taking the AutoTrain but were wondering if we should travel a day early or take the chance that the Train will arrive in Sanford at a reasonable time. The latest we have arrived in the past was
11:00 am. That was in October following 9/11 and we were held up in the Richmond, Va area due to a supsicious pkg in the terminal.

Thanks for your help.

 

[DisneyPoly]

I would absolutely go the day before! On one of our trips south on the AutoTrain, we encountered some problems, thus the necessity for a crew change due to union rules. Unfortunately, the new crew "couldn't find the train" and it took a long time for the new crew to arrive.

There was a family on the train who was heading on the Disney Cruise and we did not pull into Sanford until 3:00 p.m. They were panic stricken and we're going crazy waiting for their van to get off the train.

Just a month ago, when my sister was in SC there was a freight train derailment and all Amtrak was delayed -- when I checked the AutoTrain schedule, the southbound train did not pull into Sanford until 11:00 p.m.

I learned my lesson through them and when cruising, allow an extra day at the front end.

Good luck!

 

[ennisb]

Very good advice , head down the day before or the stress will just be awfull. Our train delayed 5 hours but this was for a WDW trip so it didn't hurt to much. On our cruise we arrived at the port at 11am.

I hate to be late and would rather sit in the sun and read then worry.

have a great time!

 

[cherylp3]

I'd have to agree with getting in the day before.

Delays can happen, I once had a 9 hr delay due to an accident on the tracks.

Cheryl