Hi all i just rode on the auto train the other day from Lorton, VA to Sanford, FL and thought i would do a report on it so here it goes.
Arrived in Lorton, VA at the Amtrak station around 12:00pm ( there is a lot of construction going on in the area). When i pulled up to the gate the lady handed me a paper about the train arriving from FL being late(it arrived at 1:00pm instead of 8:30am). So she asigned my jeep a Number and drove up to the check in area. Here i was met by someone telling me to leave the keys in the car and take anything that i didnt want to leave in the car with me. So I did. A lady came to the car and took pictures of the car before i left. Then they took the car and put it on the inclosed train car. I went inside to check into the train for me and my mom. We both had coach seats and wanted to know how much it would be to upgrade to a room. It is normally $109.00 extra onto the rail fare of $85.00 per person. We asked and the lady said it would be $126.00 more for the room so go for it. We sat in the terminal which is new and really nice. We were suppose to leave at 4:00pm. The train left at 5:30pm so we were already 1 1/2 hours behind. The staff was great onboard and helped with everyneed. Dinner was great and i was suprised how good it was for train food. I had a fresh salad, Beef tenderlion, and cheesecake and it included wine with dinner. After dinner i went back to the room to relax for a while. We went to see a movie onboard as well. The train stopped along the way to make sure that the tracks ahead were clear since CSX operates the tracks. Sleeping is hard on the train because the route was a little bumpy but other than that the bed was better than some coach seat. We had a breakfast in the morning with cereal, bagels and OJ. The train was suppose to arrive at 8:30 am but we arrived at 11:30am instead cause we got delayed a bit overnight on the tracks. It takes them about 30 mins to park the train and then start unloading cars. I waited about 15 mins once they started unloading the cars. There was nothing wrong with my car so off i left. One key thing about picking up your car. Do a walk around and check your car for any they wrong with it. Also this might sound odd but they dont check to make sure its your car. I could have taken some elses car and they would not have known until it was to late. I think they need to do a better job on that part. Other than that the trip was great. I meet some people on the train who were really nice. And if you are going to walk around at night you better have your sea legs with you because you can get tossed around real easy.
Arrived in Lorton, VA at the Amtrak station around 12:00pm ( there is a lot of construction going on in the area). When i pulled up to the gate the lady handed me a paper about the train arriving from FL being late(it arrived at 1:00pm instead of 8:30am). So she asigned my jeep a Number and drove up to the check in area. Here i was met by someone telling me to leave the keys in the car and take anything that i didnt want to leave in the car with me. So I did. A lady came to the car and took pictures of the car before i left. Then they took the car and put it on the inclosed train car. I went inside to check into the train for me and my mom. We both had coach seats and wanted to know how much it would be to upgrade to a room. It is normally $109.00 extra onto the rail fare of $85.00 per person. We asked and the lady said it would be $126.00 more for the room so go for it. We sat in the terminal which is new and really nice. We were suppose to leave at 4:00pm. The train left at 5:30pm so we were already 1 1/2 hours behind. The staff was great onboard and helped with everyneed. Dinner was great and i was suprised how good it was for train food. I had a fresh salad, Beef tenderlion, and cheesecake and it included wine with dinner. After dinner i went back to the room to relax for a while. We went to see a movie onboard as well. The train stopped along the way to make sure that the tracks ahead were clear since CSX operates the tracks. Sleeping is hard on the train because the route was a little bumpy but other than that the bed was better than some coach seat. We had a breakfast in the morning with cereal, bagels and OJ. The train was suppose to arrive at 8:30 am but we arrived at 11:30am instead cause we got delayed a bit overnight on the tracks. It takes them about 30 mins to park the train and then start unloading cars. I waited about 15 mins once they started unloading the cars. There was nothing wrong with my car so off i left. One key thing about picking up your car. Do a walk around and check your car for any they wrong with it. Also this might sound odd but they dont check to make sure its your car. I could have taken some elses car and they would not have known until it was to late. I think they need to do a better job on that part. Other than that the trip was great. I meet some people on the train who were really nice. And if you are going to walk around at night you better have your sea legs with you because you can get tossed around real easy.