ALL ABOARD!?

[yensid67]

I didn't know if this was the place for this or Trip Planning, so please move it needed!

I was just starting to plan a 2017 trip from PA to FL. We know we can fly, but as something different and a little bit of adventure, we are leaning towards taking Amtrak!!!! Has anyone used Amtrak before? Anything we need to know on how the process works? We will be traveling from Martinsburg, WVA to Washington, D.D. then onto Kissimmee, FL(and back) I have never traveled by train before and would like to know what to expect or look into? Do we have security checks like at the airports? What time should we be at the stations to catch the trains? And any other information you think would be helpful and beneficial to first timers on a train!

We will be just getting seats for our journey, is there reserved seating with reservations or you take what seat is available? I don't mind sitting wherever, but would prefer to be seated with the others going with us.

Thanks in advance! I know I can always count on my WDW friends for some great advice and recommendations!

 

[abzoo]

I've never been on such a long train journey (the longest I've gone on Amtrak is 5 hours) but hopefully this helps! You only really need to be at the train station about 30 minutes before departure. However, Amtrak doesn't do reserved seating so if you're there a little early and line up before the other people in the station then you'll definitely be able to sit with your group. No security checks. You can either store your luggage over your seat (smaller suitcases and bags) or there's some space under the seat in front of you. There will also be luggage rack at the front and back of each train car to leave bigger suitcases.

Once you get all situated on the train, it will be nice and relaxing!

 

[Tom]

There is a Trip Planning forum: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/forums/wdw-trip-planning.6/

 

[yensid67]

Thanks Abzoo! Definitely things I didn't know

Tom...that's why I said for the Moderator to move it if necessary! Actually its not really trip planning its just questions about, but hopefully the moderator will move it. Thanks for the reply


P.S.
Congratulation on your first child!

 

[CheshireCat12]

Try looking into the AutoTrain from Lorton, VA to Sanford, FL rather than just a standard Amtrak.

 

[yensid67]

Try looking into the AutoTrain from Lorton, VA to Sanford, FL rather than just a standard Amtrak.

I did look into that, but that's out of our budget. Thanks

 

[Britt]

**following**
Interested to hear! I think it's pretty much out of the question since we're in Colorado and it costs almost as much as flying, but if we decide to travel to a closer destination maybe!!

 

[catmandoo]

My sister recently took Amtrak to visit me (Albany, NY to Cleveland, OH) and her train was delayed arriving here by about 2.5 hours, and about 5 hrs on the way back, so just keep in mind that Amtrak isn't exactly known for keeping on schedule.

 

[yensid67]

Yeah the delays is the only thing that worries me. The only delay I have to worry about is Martinsburg into DC and Kissimmee into DC. both of them are 6 hrs 20 min(martinsburg-DC) and almost 9 hrs (Kissimmee to DC)These are layovers in DC for the next train! So our traveling entourage will have to decide what they want to do in this regards!

 

[tigger1968]

Keep in mind that you are planning for 2 to 3 years out, and looking at a transportation model that is woefully underfunded and underappreciated by the powers that be that control the purse strings. You are prone to delays from mechanical or equipment issues or availability, as well as some areas where Amtrak trains must cede the right of way to the Class 1 railroads (CSX, Norfolk Southern, etc.). In most areas they own the rails, and Amtrak must negotiate trackage rights. Don't get me wrong...as you may have guessed, I am a railfan and LOVE trains. I think Amtrak should be, and could be, so much more if it got the attention and funding it deserves. Ridership is growing so maybe that will happen.

But I digress...

Just keep in mind that anything you look at or research could very well change in the next few years. Hopefully for the better of course.

 

[maelstrom98]

We are taking the train from PA to Orlando for the first time next month! Flights were expensive and the train was surprisingly not. Most of our trip will end up being through the night anyway, but will let you know how it goes!

 

[yensid67]

Yeah, I found the train to be a little cheaper than the flight, that's why we are opting to take the train...at least for now...who knows how we will actually go when 2017 rolls in! Our train trip will be through the night as well, so that's a good way to save on video battery life! Please private message me when you return and tell me all about the train ride...what to expect, what not to expect, etc

Hope you have a great trip

-Will

 

[lorreejean]

Hi! Long time lurker but first time poster. Had to on this topic. We did the trip on Amtrak to Kissimmee a couple of years ago. It was great. The seats are much larger than airplane seats, and therefore more comfortable. You don't feel crammed in like sardines. We changed trains twice, once in Chicago, and in Washington D.C. There was plenty of time between trains in both places to accommodate most possible delays. And while Amtrak does have to give way to the freight trains in many cases, there is some time built into the schedule for that, which occasionally results in an early arrival. On the way to Kissimmee we did a little sightseeing in D.C. near the station, and on the way back had a long enough layover in the daytime to do one of those hop on hop off bus tours and see some of the sights. As far as what to expect, there will be a car attendant checking when you board the train. You then can choose your seats. The only thing your ticket will specify is if it is upper or lower level on the superliner into D.C. The train out of D.C. is only one level. There is a dining car on the train as well as snacks available in the lounge car. Breakfast is first come first seated. Lunch and Dinner are by reservation and the sleeper car passengers get first choice as meals are included in their ticket. There are several stops along the way, where you can get out or not as you choose, but make sure not to go to far, they can leave without you. In case you can't tell we love traveling by rail, and do it whenever we can.

 

[yensid67]

THANKS Lorreejean...
You actually rode the Silver Meteor from DC to Kiss, just like we will. The more information I get like this, the more I am compelled to take the train instead of flying. I just researched for rental cars and found Enterprise that is nearby that will pick us up at the KIS station...sure beats a taxi! I was wondering about the seats, good to know they are comfortable for the overnight trip! Seating wise from Martinsburg to DC we are not too worried about sitting together, but the long overnight section we would like to sit together from DC to KIS, so it seems like as long as we are in line in DC we should be able to get seats together! And NO! we will not be venturing off the train until we arrive in KIS!!!! Our luck we will be stuck somewhere other than KIS! I am figuring that the train, even though it will take 18 hours, will be a different adventure! Thanks again! If you remember any other information about the train from DC to KIS please post. I enjoy these posts!